Archive for November 2015

Back to Archive Index

Accessories (10)

• Stretchable square of rubber doubles as a keyboard

  There's a whole branch of science that's dedicated to turning flexible surfaces into sensors that can be used as an artificial substitute for skin. These materials could then be used to give robots a sense of touch, or even to restore feeling for people with artificial prostheses. Researchers at the University of Auckland have taken the concept in a slightly different direction after building a square of soft, stretchable rubber that pulls double-duty as a keyboard. It's hoped that the technology can be used to create foldable, rollable input devices, which reminds us of Nokia's twisty-stretchy phone concept from way back when.

  By Daniel Cooper Read More

• OnePlus won't replace the 2's flawed USB Type-C cable

  Google engineer Benson Leung recently tested the OnePlus 2's USB Type-C cable and said it "may cause damage to your charger, hub or PC USB port" if used on a fast-charging device. OnePlus has now admitted that it doesn't conform to the USB Type-C 1.1 spec, and has agreed to give refunds to its customers. There's one large caveat, however. Since the cable can't cause problems with the OnePlus 2 itself (it's not a fast-charging phone), the company won't give refunds or replacement cables to buyers of the handset. Instead, it will only refund customers who purchased the cable separately.

  By Steve Dent Read More

• Engadget giveaway: Win an Athena router and range extender courtesy of Amped Wireless!

  Even if you're in a tiny studio apartment that keeps you in arm's reach of your router at all times, you could probably do with a high-powered upgrade. Amped Wireless' Athena AC2600 dual-band gigabit router packs 16 amplifiers and four antennas, delivering 800mW of output power, enough to cover your whole home. It also includes multi-user MIMO support so you can cross the streams all you want using multiple devices concurrently. Amped Wireless has handed off a pair of these routers for two lucky Engadget readers this week, as well as some AC1750 range extenders that include a built-in touchscreen interface for ease of use. When used together, you should be able to blanket up to an additional 12,000SF in WiFi, making it ideal for buildings or adding connectivity to outdoor areas. All you need to do is head to the Rafflecopter widget below for up to three chances at winning this powerful, long-range WiFi package.

  By Jon Turi Read More

• Netgear's Nest Cam competitor has seven days of cloud video recording

  These days, connected cameras like the Nest Cam (previously known as the Dropcam) aren't exactly special. There are a slew of competitors out there, like Logitech's Circle and Samsung's SmartCam, so the only way to stand out is by offering something others don't. And that's precisely what Netgear is doing its latest connected camera, the Arlo Q, by giving you seven days of cloud video recording for free. Logitech offers 24 hours of free cloud recording, in comparison. And Nest, whose original camera pioneered this whole category, still doesn't have any video recording without a subscription. Beyond that, the Arlo Q delivers what you'd expect: 1080p video recording and two-way audio that's accessible through a mobile app. It'll be available in the US come December for $220, and it'll eventually head to Australia, Canada and Europe.

  By Devindra Hardawar Read More

• Engadget giveaway: Win a set of SnapPower USB Chargers and a Guidelight!

  You don't need electrical know-how or have freshly renovated digs to get some of the latest built-in conveniences at home. One easily solution for adding USB charging or illuminated ambiance to your old wall outlets is to spend an estimated 60 seconds worth of effort installing one of SnapPower's click-on products. The company's Guidelights have been providing a late-night glow to customers with just a few twists of a screw and the company's signature snap-on installation — no wiring involved. Now, SnapPower offers the same quick and easy access to built-in USB charging, without blocking access to existing outlets. This week, we're passing on a 3-pack of SnapPower's easy-to-install retrofit products for one lucky Engadget reader. Just head on down to the Rafflecopter widget for up to three chances at winning this tiny bit of built-in luxury. Winner: Congratulations to Saad K. of Grove, IL!

  By Jon Turi Read More

• Logitech's iPad Pro keyboard case is relatively affordable

  Apple's iPad Pro is pricey even before you add in the $169 official keyboard case, but Logitech may have a way to make the whole package a little more palatable. It's now shipping its promised Create Keyboard Case for the gigantic tablet, and the add-on will sell for a slightly more frugal $150. It only works at two angles, but you'll get perks like backlit keys, automatic pairing (thanks to the Smart Connector) and a raft of iOS shortcuts. And if you don't want to turn your iPad into a makeshift laptop, there's an $80 Create Protective case that ditches the keyboard in return for a more flexible stand. Either shell is available in black, blue or red, so you're not stuck with somber colors on your giant slate.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Smart projector aims to bring the big screen home wirelessly

  There's nothing better than a projector in your living room for movie fans. But for many people, setting one up isn't exactly easy (though it's doable if you put in the effort). There's complicated wiring to deal with, and they're also pretty bulky. French startup AV Concept Products is hoping to solve these issues with the All in One HC (AIO), its new Android-powered smart projector. It's fairly slim, it can spit out a decent 720p image (yes, a 1080p version is in the works) with 1,000 lumens in a brightly lit event space, and it supports AirHDMI, which lets you transmit video from any device with an HDMI port. The big problem? The company is currently targeting a $1,499 price for the AIO, though you can snag one via Indiegogo for $999 and $1,299 at the moment. Those are all pretty steep prices for a projector without 1080p, but AV Concept Products tells us it's also working on a subscription plan to ease the pain. It's hoping to raise $50,000 in its crowdfunding campaign over the next 35 days.

  By Devindra Hardawar Read More

• Here's a physical emoji keyboard that costs $100

  Emoji are now deeply embedded in our collective psyche, and yet, they're always out of reach. On your phone, they're hidden behind at least a single tap, and on your Mac or PC, they're obfuscated further, often inside an archaic symbol or special character menu. EmojiWorks aims to fix that with a full QWERTY keyboard that doubles as an emoji machine. It's not the first attempt at an emoji keyboard by any stretch of the imagination, but it is an all-in-one solution that you can actually buy.

  By Aaron Souppouris Read More

• Zolt's tiny laptop charger starts shipping on November 17

  After debuting at CES earlier this year, Zolt is finally gearing up to start shipping its tiny laptop charger on November 17. To refresh, Zolt is a 70-watt charger that's significantly smaller and lighter than traditional laptop power bricks, and it can also charge tablets and smartphones over two USB ports. It seems ideal for today's laptops and hybrid devices, which are getting continuously thinner, while their power adapters don't change much. You can preorder a Zolt for $100 starting today on the company's site, though you'll have to wait until the company starts clearing out its existing preorder queue until you get yours. It'll ship with a variety of tips for most laptops, but be prepared to shell out an additional $20 for Apple laptop tips. (Given that a replacement MacBook Air charger costs $80, Zolt still seems like a better deal.)

  By Devindra Hardawar Read More

• Pulse is a '3D' music controller for the multi-instrumentalist

  Tapping out everything from a bassoon to a bass drums with a MIDI keyboard and a sampler is no big deal -- it's been a staple of electronic music for years. But, as anyone who's tried it will attest, that's a long way from "playing" those instruments -- to the point MIDI drumming has become an art in and of itself. Enter Pulse, a versatile hardware controller recently shown off at London's famous Abbey Road studios as part of its Red program, and launching on Kickstarter today. It's modest claim? Being the future of music playing.

  By James Trew Read More

AI (6)

• IBM's supercomputer knows what'll be hot this holiday

  After elbowing its way into hospitals and restaurants, it was inevitable that IBM's supercomputer would turn its attention towards the retail business. IBM has launched Watson Trend, a service that harnesses Watson's deep learning smarts in order to discover the hottest and most desirable products to buy this holiday season. The machine will work out what's hot (and what's not) by trawling the web, looking through everyone's public conversations on social media, blog posts and product reviews. Once the information has been found, it'll run sentiment analysis to determine how people really feel about their new smartphones, TVs and tablets to work out the ones folks love the most.

  By Daniel Cooper Read More

• AI has a better shot at Tokyo University than your kid

  Students in Japan could soon compete with AI to get into colleges. The National Institute of Informatics in Tokyo has developed a program that scored above average on a standardized entrance exam that covered math, physics, English and history. The AI scored 511 out of 950, beating the national average of 416. While it was expected to do well on the math test, it did exceedingly well on the history questions that required natural learning processing skills to make inferences.?

  By Mona Lalwani Read More

• Computers learn how to spot hidden facial expressions

  Machines are good at spotting obvious emotions like smiles, but they're not so hot at detecting the extremely brief microexpressions that reveal when people are covering up their true feelings. They may have a keener eye in the future, though: researchers have developed a computer vision algorithm that magnifies facial expressions, making it possible to catch the tiniest bit of displeasure or surprise. While some humans have a knack for spotting these subtle cues, the algorithm is far more effective in early tests -- you likely wouldn't fool the computer into thinking everything was hunky dory.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• A closer look at NVIDIA's vision for AI ubiquity

  Building new hardware has become increasingly easier thanks to the rise of 3D printing and the quick prototyping that's now possible thanks to devices like the Arduino, Raspberry Pi and LittleBits. With Nvidia dropping the Jetson TX1's machine-learning firepower into the mix, small companies and makers will be able to quickly put together smarter devices that have some of the same abilities that are creeping into our cars.

  By Roberto Baldwin Read More

• Toyota sets aside $1 billion for AI and robotics research centers

  Toyota originally announced earlier this year that it's spending $50 million to establish joint research centers with MIT and Stanford. Turns out the company has decided to set aside a much, much bigger amount than that. Toyota Motor President Akio Toyoda has revealed at an event in Tokyo that the automaker's investing $1 billion (over the course of five years) to set up the Toyota Research Institute Inc. The initiative will be tasked with the development of artificial intelligence, robotics and autonomous car technologies under the leadership of robotics expert Gill Pratt, a former DARPA program manager. Its first facility (with 200 employees) will open in Silicon Valley near Stanford University in January 2016. After that, the Japanese corporation will open a second facility near MIT in Cambridge.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Watson's melt-in-your-mouth Moroccan almond curry

  'Cognitive Cooking with Chef Watson' is a collaboration between IBM and the Institute of Culinary Education in New York City. As part of an ongoing series, we'll be preparing one recipe from the book until we've made all of them. Wish us luck.While it's no great surprise to see Watson conjuring up unusual flavor blends, I was surprised to find such subdued in this Moroccan almond curry. On paper the recipe looked to be leaning toward bland, but its clever combination of all the elements worked. Traditional Moroccan lamb curries have intense flavors highlighted by garlic, onion, sometimes ginger, cinnamon and then sweetened with honey and dried apricot to balance lamb's strong taste. Here, though, Watson prescribes small amounts of cardamom, cumin, turmeric. All told, the recipe is comprised of four separate parts, which you'll later pile together. These include: the curry-braised lamb, a pea puree, green salad and plain old basmati rice. This is a great choice if you want to show off for guests, and yet it's easy too: Because the meal is broken up in stages, much can be done the day before. It's also mild enough that even the pickiest eater will find some joy in the dish. I fed it to a couple kids under ten and they both ate it up.

  By Sean Cooper Read More

Amazon (20)

• Amazon's tablet web browser is getting easier to use

  Amazon's Silk may not be the darling of the web browser world, but you should know it's still getting plenty of affection. The internet giant is recapping recent updates that promise an easier-to-use tablet surfing experience. You'll now see your most visited sites as easy-to-read tiles when you visit Silk's home screen, putting your go-to page a quick tap away. Bookmarking a page has been simplified to a single tap, and there's a reading list section on the home screen that offers quick access to your saved articles. Oh, and this is your dream upgrade if you can't help but open sites in new tabs -- you can keep an unlimited number of tabs open instead of the previous 10. All good things to know, especially since it's been nearly a year since we heard any updates on the supercomputer-powered browser project.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Amazon's first original UK drama will be set in post-war Paris

  2016 is shaping up to be a good year for Amazon Prime subscribers after the company confirmed a second original UK series will be heading to its video streaming service. Joining Jeremy Clarkson and co. next year will be The Collection, a drama that chronicles the story of two brothers who work for a prominent Paris fashion house just after the end of World War II. Its producers, Lookout Point, co-produced Ripper Street, a series Amazon picked up in 2014 after it was axed by the BBC.

  By Matt Brian Read More

• Amazon and Jeremy Clarkson hint at the future of delivery drones

  Former Top Gear co-host Jeremy Clarkson isn't just working on a new motoring show for Amazon... he's helping the internet giant pitch its vision for delivery drones, too. Amazon has unveiled a splashy new Prime Air ad where Clarkson shows off a new, more powerful drone design (with promises of a "whole family" of others) and outlines how these robots would ship a pair of running shoes. All you'd have to do is place your order and plunk down a marker to tell the drone where to land. From there, the robot would use its mix of horizontal and vertical propellers to ferry your cargo (up to 15 miles from its home base) in 30 minutes or less. You'd even get a heads-up when the drone is close, so you wouldn't have to worry about someone swiping your package the moment it arrives.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Amazon's new Fire TV can talk to your connected home

  Amazon's Echo speaker and 4K Fire TV just got much better at handling around-the-house tasks. The Fire TV now controls smart home devices with a simple voice command -- you can ask it to dim the lights right before you start a movie. It'll search for local businesses and restaurants, too, in case you want to get some sushi when you're done watching. The Echo already has these features, but you can now ask it when a TV show starts to make sure you catch that big season premiere. Both the Echo and Fire TV upgrades are relatively straightforward, but they'll mean a lot if you're tired of bringing out your phone to ask simple questions.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Amazon Prime will reportedly offer access to other video services

  Normally, signing up for a streaming video service only gives you the content from that service, leaving you heading elsewhere when a TV network decides to hoard all its shows. If rumors are true, though, Amazon Prime Video may soon offer a lot more in one place. Bloomberg sources hear that Amazon will give you the option to add other subscription services to your account, and show their video libraries alongside its own. Just who's interested isn't clear, but Amazon is reportedly lining up "major, well-known" movie and TV channels for a launch that could happen as early as December.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Amazon resets passwords that might have been 'exposed'

  Did you recently get a notice that Amazon changed your password? You're not alone. Numerous readers tell ZDNet that Amazon reset their passwords after learning that the login might have been "improperly stored" or "transmitted" in a way that could expose it to others. The company is shy about what happened (is it a data breach? A security hole?), but doesn't believe that someone actually swiped your info -- it's just giving you a new password out of an "abundance of caution." Gee, thanks. We're glad to see Amazon taking a better-safe-than-sorry approach, but we've reached out to the internet giant to get a better sense of what happened... and whether or not you have reason to be nervous.[Image credit: AP Photo/Elaine Thompson]

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Amazon's Echo speaker wants to play games with you

  Amazon seems bound and determined to not let its internet-connected wünderspeaker, the Echo, fall prey to the same fate as the Fire Phone. Good on Jeff Bezos for that. In case you're already bored of the device reading you news headlines and finding restaurant info for you, now the gizmo's Alexa app will play games and even tell you how much gas you have left in your car. Games include Bingo; trivia; simple math puzzles and even rock, paper, scissors. As Android Central points out, the automotive stuff is available via a third-party solution, dubbed Automatic, that interfaces with your car via a $100 adapter. With that, you can ask questions about how far you drove recently or what your gas gauge is sitting at. Or you could, you know, look at your instrument cluster. It's up to you!

  By Timothy J. Seppala Read More

• Amazon Echo owners can create custom voice commands with IFTTT

  Telling Amazon's Alexa to play some music or add an item to your shopping list is pretty cool, but there comes a point where you start to feel the limits of the Echo's pre-programmed voice commands. It doesn't have to be that way anymore: Amazon and the automation wizards at IFTTT just announced a new feature that allows you to create custom voice phrases to make Alexa do whatever you want. Unfortunately, there's a catch: every command has to start with the word "trigger."

  By Sean Buckley Read More

• Amazon offers a free screenwriting tool to discover new stories

  Amazon's original series have been on quite the run as of late, and the online retailer wants to help both aspiring and established screenwriters get their work discovered. To do just that, the company has Amazon Storywriter: a free cloud-based app for creating screenplays for movies and television. The software provides an alternative for requisite apps that can be somewhat pricey. Of course, Amazon isn't the first to offer a free option, with the likes of Trelby and Celtx already doing so. The Storywriter app automatically formats as you type and supports import/export of PDF, FDX and Fountain file formats. While writers are online, work is saved in the cloud as they go and a Chrome app for Mac and PC allows for offline productivity.

  By Billy Steele Read More

• Amazon brings one-hour Prime Now deliveries to Newcastle

  Just a day after it expanded its same-day delivery service to more of the UK, Amazon has added another big city to its list of Prime Now locations: Newcastle. The Northern city joins London and Birmingham in offering Prime customers one-hour deliveries, allowing locals order up to 15,000 products including electronics, food and possible Christmas for £6.99 or for free if they're willing to wait two hours. Amazon says selected postcodes in Gateshead, Durham and Sunderland are now eligible, but you should probably check Amazon's delivery checker first before filling your online basket.

  By Matt Brian Read More

• Amazon expands same-day Prime deliveries to more of the UK

  Amazon only just launched its free, same-day delivery option for Prime members a few weeks ago, but already it's expanding the convenience to other parts of the UK. Previously available in Greater London and certain Berkshire and Hertfordshire postcodes, Prime Same Day has today spread to Birmingham, Bristol, Dudley, Milton Keynes, Northampton, Walsall and Wolverhampton in England, as well as the Scottish locales of Edinburgh and Glasgow.

  By Jamie Rigg Read More

• Amazon shines a spotlight on startup products in the UK

  After going live in the US this summer, Amazon has today brought its Launchpad program to the UK. Appearing sans fanfare on the UK portal, Launchpad is a dedicated storefront specifically showcasing the products of early stage companies. That said, the initial catalogue features some relatively well-known brands, such as Sphero, Withings, Pebble, Elgato, Misfit and new smartphone player Wileyfox, though it's not limited to products in the technology realm. The idea behind Launchpad is that startups can use the program -- and Amazon's delivery expertise -- to get their products to customers without having to become logistics experts themselves.

  By Jamie Rigg Read More

• Amazon briefly slashes Prime to £59 ahead of Black Friday

  With Black Friday and Christmas on the horizon, Amazon knows that countless Brits would appreciate next-day deliveries and other Prime-associated perks. As a result, the retailer is making it a little cheaper than usual to sign up for an annual membership -- £59, rather than £79. It's a sizeable price-drop, although the deal only runs until Wednesday (November 18th). So if you want in, better act fast. For that price you'll gain access to Amazon's ancillary services, including Prime Video (its Netflix equivalent), Prime Music (its Spotify equivalent) and unlimited photo storage through Cloud Drive. Even if you're an infrequent Amazon shopper, this could make one of its "all-in" 12-month subscriptions worthwhile. It also means you can try some of its more experimental delivery services, like Amazon Pantry and Prime Now, for when your cupboards are bare and it's too cold to brave a trip to the shops.

  By Nick Summers Read More

• Shopping with Amazon Dash buttons made me less forgetful

  If you're like me, you've made a trip to the grocery store with a list full of items only to return frustrated. You forgot toilet paper. Or soap. Or laundry detergent. Whatever it may be, we've all arrived back at home to realize we neglected to pick up an important item. Thankfully, Amazon's Dash buttons help you order items the moment you run out so that you're not forced to make a second trip. Heck, you don't even have to make a first trip. The handy buttons pair with Amazon's mobile app to give Prime members an easy way to purchase the goods they use most. In fact, they make placing an order so easy it's kind of scary.

  By Billy Steele Read More

• Amazon brings grocery deliveries to the UK with 'Pantry'

  Clearly, Amazon isn't content with a small, AmazonFresh-style delivery service. The company is expanding its UK operations today with Amazon Pantry, a new way to order "everyday essentials." It's exclusive to Prime members and offers next-day delivery for more than 4,000 products, including basic food, drink, beauty products and cleaning supplies. The service isn't meant for fresh produce -- you can't order a pack of bacon or some bananas -- but rather cupboard regulars like cereal and tinned soup. As you pick items from Amazon's store, you'll see a "Pantry box" beginning to fill. The exact dimensions aren't clear (they're probably flexible) but Amazon says each one can hold 20kg. The first box in your order costs £2.99 to deliver, followed by 99 pence for each additional box. These prices are on top of your Prime membership and what you'll pay for each individual item.

  By Nick Summers Read More

• Amazon's Echo smart speaker is coming to retail stores

  You no longer have to buy online to give the Amazon Echo a shot. Amazon will soon sell the smart, voice-guided speaker in more than 3,000 retail stores, including Brookstone, Fry's, Home Depot, PC Richard & Son, RadioShack, Sears and Staples (which previously sold it on the web). The rollout is taking place over the next few weeks, and a few big stores are conspicuously absent in the mix -- Best Buy, anyone? Still, this beats worrying about holiday shipping headaches.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Amazon's 12 new pilots include animated, spy and biopic series

  It's Amazon pilot season, which means there are a bunch of new shows you can stream via Prime Instant Video for free -- well, their first episodes anyway. The selection includes a handful of animated shows, one of which brings the Teletubbies to mind (The Numberlys) and another that targets young adults (Everstar). There's also a Western tale of revenge (Edge), a bio-series of an early feminist (Z), a story of five female journalists in the '60s based on a non-fiction book (Good Girls Revolt) and a dramedy about a spy sent to Iran to prevent a nuclear war (Patriot). As always, Amazon will take your opinions into account when deciding which of the twelve gets turned into full-blown Originals and which get tossed into the pile of forgotten pilots.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Amazon UK Prime members get free same-day deliveries

  In its bid to get more products to customers quicker, Amazon UK has today added another delivery option for customers. Prime Same Day offers (you guessed it) same-day delivery on one million products, as long as you're already signed up to the company's £79 annual membership. Unlike Prime Now, which costs £6.99 and gets your items to you within an hour, Amazon's new shipping option is free.

  By Matt Brian Read More

• Amazon opens first physical bookstore in Seattle

  It may feel odd associating Amazon with a brick-and-mortar store, but you'll get used to it. The online marketplace will open its first physical outlet at University Village, an open-air shopping center in Seattle, on Tuesday. It won't be selling everything under the sun like its website, though: it's a true-blue bookstore -- though it will carry Kindle e-readers -- just like the thousands of bookstores that shuttered in the past due to the rise in e-book sales. One difference is that most goods inside Amazon Books will be displayed face-out instead of stacked with their spines in view. Also, the company will take advantage of the data it's collected for the past two decades to stock books that have the potential to sell.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Amazon tries to one-up Black Friday (again) with a 7-week sale

  Remember how Amazon trumped Black Friday with its Prime Day sale? No? We can't blame you -- the offerings were so modest that you had a better chance finding bargains at a garage sale. That isn't stopping Amazon from giving it another shot, however. It's launching a Black Friday Deals page that will offer discounts from now until December 22nd. Yes, that's an attempt to spread one day of frenetic shopping across 7 weeks. Prime subscribers will get first crack, naturally.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

Apple (23)

• Here's why the iPad Pro's processor is so fast

  Whatever you think of Apple's products, there's little doubt that the A9X processor in the iPad Pro is quick -- in a few cases, it rivals the performance you'd get from a laptop. But why is it so quick, especially when Apple tends to shy away from high clock speeds, many-core processors and other conventional performance tricks? Thanks to AnandTech and Chipworks, we now have a good idea. They've torn down the A9X to reveal that the chip is a series of calculated tradeoffs. It only has two CPU cores and doesn't even have Level 3 memory cache to keep the processor humming, but it has a monstrous amount of bandwidth (51GB per second) and a whopping 12 graphics cores. That's twice as many as in the iPhone 6s' A9 chip, folks. To boot, the A9X is larger than Intel's latest quad-core desktop processors -- Apple has the headroom for components that you don't see in many PCs.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Apple buys motion-capture company that worked on 'Star Wars'

  Apple's latest startup pickup is Faceshift, a company that specializes in facial motion capture -- often doing it without any need for physical "markers" on the model's face. Cupertino confirmed the deal to Techcrunch, which also discovered that several Faceshift employees are already working for Apple in Europe. While a lot of Faceshift's technical demos have focused on real-time animation based on camera-based motion capture, it also works on improving facial CGI animation in movies and other media. (That's where the Star Wars connection comes in.) It's a bit of a reach to figure out exactly how the startup's work will dovetail into Apple's machinations for the future -- but at least it's something a little more interesting than another map company.

  By Mat Smith Read More

• Apple Pay will launch in China early next year, says WSJ

  Apple's latest iPhones have been a raging success in China, so the lack of Apple Pay in the nation has been a sore point. That's about to change soon, however, as Apple will bring Pay to China by early February 2016, according to the WSJ. Its sources say it has made deals with the company's four state banks, meaning most consumers will be able to pay at stores with an NFC-equipped iPhone 6 or 6s model. The deal is reportedly now just awaiting regulatory approval, and Apple is hoping to launch it before February 8th when China's spring holidays begin.

  By Steve Dent Read More

• Use your Apple Pencil to alter photos, make music and weigh things

  The Apple Pencil is aimed at professional artists who want to use the iPad Pro as a fancy creation tablet, but Simon Gladman has other uses in mind for the stylus. He made three Swift apps that use the Apple Pencil in new ways: as a synthesizer powered by AudioKit, in an image-editing program and as part of an electronic scale. PencilSynth uses the Apple Pencil's position on the iPad Pro to control the sound emitted, changing pitch and frequency as the Pencil travels at different angles across the screen. PencilController offers three image-filtering modes (hue/saturation, brightness/contrast and gamma/exposure), each controlled by holding one finger on the appropriate mode key and moving the Apple Pencil around a pivot point on the screen. PencilScale is the most "experimental" of Gladman's projects, using the Apple Pencil as a stand for a series of weights sitting directly on top of a scale app. Gladman calls PencilScale "sensitive, but not terribly accurate."

  By Jessica Conditt Read More

• Mastercard gifts Apple Pay users with free London travel

  Everyone likes getting something for free, especially when you get to save money doing things you normally do on a daily basis. For the next four Mondays (including today), Mastercard is offering free travel across London's Tube, trains, buses and the DLR for all riders using Apple Pay. That right, as long as you own a iPhone capable of supporting Apple's NFC payment service or an Apple Watch with a Mastercard attached, you can commute to work or roam across the capital for nothing.

  By Matt Brian Read More

• Leaked Apple support app could save you a trip to the store

  The Genius Bars in Apple's retail stores are supposed to be convenient ways to answer questions and get repairs, but the ever-growing deluge of customers sometimes makes it a pain. Ever waited 20 minutes just to get a Lightning cable replaced? Well, the Cupertino crew may have a clever way to speed up that wait time... and in some cases, save you a trip altogether. Both uSwitch and leaker Sonny Dickson understand that Apple is working on a support app for iOS that would help you get the fix you need. The app would narrow down the cause of your problem by asking questions, and offer chances to contact support, book a Genius Bar appointment or (if it's a relatively minor issue) fix it yourself through how-to guides. Think of it as Apple's support website distilled into a simpler, more powerful form.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Apple now lets Brits order online and pick up in-store

  Apple already offers free next-day delivery for online purchases, as well as convenient local pickup points, but as of today, you also have the option of collecting your order in-store instead. Look at the website listing for the new iPad Pro, for example, and you'll see the familiar estimated delivery window is now joined by an "available for pickup" notice. You don't even need to get to the checkout stage to pull up a tool that lets you search for nearby stores by postcode. Anywhere the product is in stock will show as being "available today," and once you've placed your order, it should be ready for collection within an hour, though Apple will email you to confirm. You can also elect someone else to pick up your purchase for you, and of course, either way you'll need to bring appropriate documentation.

  By Jamie Rigg Read More

• The Apple Watch looks like it's getting an official dock

  If you've been wishing for an Apple-made dock to go with your Watch, you should start making room for it soon. Based on a couple of leaks, the Cupertino company appears to be ready to introduce a charging station for its wearable. The white circular dock (pictured above) uses a built-in magnetic puck, similar to the one that's included out of the box, to power up the Apple Watch wirelessly. However, the main difference here is that a Lightning port plugs in directly to the dock, rather than being a single USB-powered charging cable. Naturally, right now it is unclear when, or if, Apple will release this purported Watch peripheral, but the spilled packaging images suggest it could cost as much as $100.

  By Edgar Alvarez Read More

• Apple Pay goes live in Canada, but only for American Express customers

  Apple Pay has been available in locales outside of the US already, and now our neighbors to the north are getting in on the action. Cupertino's mobile payments tech is now available in Canada, so iPhone and Apple Watch users can pay for goods with those two devices at a smattering of retail locations. There is a catch, though: Apple Pay in the land of poutine only supports American Express right now. If you have one of those cards in your physical wallet, you'll now be able to add it to the Wallet app on your iPhone in iOS 9.1 for use at places like McDonald's and Tim Hortons (mmm, doughnuts). Bank-issued AmEx cards won't work right now either, just the ones issued directly from the credit card company. This means that most debit cards and bank-issued credit cards won't be compatible as a lot of Canadian banks use Visa or MasterCard. As was the case in the States and other countries, we'd surmise you can expect the list of participating banks and cards to expand in the weeks to come. [Image credit: Bloomberg via Getty Images]

  By Billy Steele Read More

• Apple Pay now supports TSB and Tesco Bank in the UK

  Apple Pay is now firmly established in the UK, but since the service went live in July, a handful of banks have bided their time and left customers waiting for smartphone payments. Luckily, two more can be ticked off the list today after TSB and Tesco Bank confirmed they have enabled Apple Pay support for their payment cards.

  By Matt Brian Read More

• Apple's Tim Cook says a converged MacBook and iPad won't happen

  Apple CEO Tim Cook isn't sold on the Surface, and the company doesn't plan on bringing together its MacBook or iPad into a single product like Microsoft's computing device, either. In an interview with the Irish Independent, Cook said: "We feel strongly that customers are not really looking for a converged Mac and iPad." This follows comments the CEO made in an interview with the Daily Telegraph, where he questioned why anyone would buy a PC -- those comments were apparently aimed at Windows PCs, not his company's own computer range. "We don't regard Macs and PCs to be the same."

  By Mat Smith Read More

• Recommended Reading: Jony Ive tells the story of the Apple Pencil

  Recommended Reading highlights the best long-form writing on technology and more in print and on the web. Some weeks, you'll also find short reviews of books that we think are worth your time. We hope you enjoy the read. Jony Ive Interview: The Story of the Apple Pencil The Telegraph The initial wave of iPad Pro reviews arrived this week, and with them the first impressions from folks using the new Apple Pencil for an extended period of time. The Telegraph spoke with Apple's design guru Sir Jony Ive to get the backstory on the accessory and why habits like sketching don't have to become obsolete.

  By Billy Steele Read More

• Tim Cook says Apple will learn from discrimination seen in Australia store

  A video hit the web this week showing Apple store employees in Melbourne, Australia, kicking out a group of black teenagers because security was worried "they might steal something." In the video, the teens (from Sudan and Somalia) repeatedly question the employees' concerns, but the only response they receive is, "End of discussion. I need to ask you to leave our store." Apple swiftly apologized and a senior manager from the site visited the students involved to assure them they were welcome at the store. Apple CEO Tim Cook sent an email to employees calling the incident "unacceptable," asserting the company's commitment to inclusivity and pledging to re-train its leadership in stores worldwide (as unearthed by Buzzfeed). "While I firmly believe that this was an isolated incident rather than a symptom of a broader problem in our stores, we will use this moment as an opportunity to learn and grow," he writes.

  By Jessica Conditt Read More

• Apple is reportedly working on peer-to-peer payments

  Apple is reportedly in negotiations with US banks to create a mobile personal payment platform that would compete with PayPal's popular Venmo app. The Wall Street Journal, citing unnamed sources close to the talks, states that discussions are currently ongoing though there's no confirmation that any banks have actually signed on yet. Chase, Capital One, Wells Fargo and Bank have all been named as potential partners.

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• Apple plans to add 1,000 more jobs in Ireland

  Apple is gearing up to add another 1,000 employees in Ireland, and it's also expanding its headquarters in Cork to make room for the new crop, reports RTÉ. That would bring the company's total count of employees in Ireland up to 6,000, and it's an easy way for it to demonstrate its commitment to Ireland. That's particularly useful, now that the European Commission is probing into Apple's tax situation in the country, which has been criticized for being a bit too friendly (and illegal). Ireland plans to end Apple's tax deal in a few years, but it'll still have the benefit of fairly low corporate tax rates.

  By Devindra Hardawar Read More

• Apple Music is live on Android devices today

  Apple Music launches in beta form today on Android, cementing it as the second Apple program to hit Google's mobile platform (following the "move to iOS" app). Apple offers a three-month trial to Android users, as it does to Apple customers. Since the Android version is still in beta, it's missing a few features and upgrades: Apple promises music videos are on their way and the sign-up process will be optimized for Android. To sign up for a family membership, you'll need a Mac or iOS device for now. Apple Music on Android requires version 4.3 or better, and it's a 29M download. After the trial period, Apple Music is a $10-per-month service. We gave the iOS version a spin when it launched on June 30th and found it to be heavy on features but a little disjointed. Apple announced the Android version of Music back in June, alongside a promised launch on Apple TV this fall.

  By Jessica Conditt Read More

• Tim Cook warns UK government against weakening encryption

  Following the UK's Investigatory Powers Bill, which was released last week with new and extended surveillance powers for the government, Apple CEO Tim Cook has defended strong encryption. Speaking to the Telegraph, Cook reiterated that Apple believes "very strongly in end-to-end encryption and no back doors." He pointed to recent data breaches (hello, TalkTalk hack) and emphasised that they can endanger both public privacy and national security. "To protect people who use any products, you have to encrypt."

  By Nick Summers Read More

• Apple hires engineer who used to work on digital license plates

  Apple has been snapping up talent from all over the place ever since it started putting more effort into Project Titan, Cupertino's electric car initiative. One of its latest hires is veteran software engineer Rónán Ó Braonáin, and according to Electrek, he was the Director of Engineering at a company called Reviver, which is developing what it claims is "the world's first digital license plate." These high-tech plates are expected to have wireless connectivity that can alert authorities if a vehicle is stolen or if its registration is expired. It could also give rise to shared vehicle programs, wherein a car can be legally owned by more than one person, each one associated with a unique plate number. The device can simply switch the letters and numbers displayed, depending on who's driving.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Apple thought about making a car back in 2008

  The possibility of an Apple-made car isn't anything new -- as it turns out, it's practically old news. iPod co-creator (and Nest CEO) Tony Fadell tells Bloomberg that he and Steve Jobs had "multiple" discussions about a car in 2008. They asked each other high-level questions, such as what the dashboard would look like and what the power plant would be. The idea didn't progress beyond that point due to a combination of tight resources and a lousy economic climate. Apple was swamped with iPhone work, and the American car industry was "almost dead." Why get into cars at a time when the field's heavyweights were asking for bailouts?

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Apple cuts a deal with failed sapphire screen supplier

  Apple and GT Advanced Technologies Inc. agreed to part ways back in 2014, after the latter filed for bankruptcy. Now the two have reached a deal that will eradicate GT's $439 million loan from Cupertino, according to The Wall Street Journal. Apple originally tapped GT to make sapphire screens for its devices, but it became obvious that trouble was brewing when the iPhone 6 launched without one. It's unclear what really happened behind the scenes, but GT accused Apple of shifting specs and requiring the company to manufacture millions of units the iPhone-maker wasn't obligated to buy. Apple, on the other hand, said GT couldn't meet its goals. Either way, GT ended up not having any clients that can sustain its business. Under the terms of the deal, the manufacturer will have to auction pieces of equipment, including some of its 600 sapphire-making furnaces, by November 23rd. It will then hand everything it couldn't sell to Apple, which promised to nuke its debt completely

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Actually read the iTunes TOS with this graphic adaptation

  It's a little lie you tell every single time you sign up for anything on the internet. "I have read and agree to the terms of service." You haven't read them and everybody knows it, but maybe you should read the iTunes Terms and Conditions, just once. Not for legal reasons of course, or on Apple's website -- that would be boring -- but in R. Sikoryak's 'Unabridged Graphic Adaptation: iTunes Terms and Conditions.' It's exactly what it sounds like: two volumes of unwieldy legal jargon juxtaposed with gorgeous comic imagery.

  By Sean Buckley Read More

• Apple now ranks the top Apple TV apps

  One of the best ways to discover new Mac and iOS apps is to simply peruse the charts in their respective App Stores. When the fourth-gen Apple TV debuted last week, this particular feature was missing -- which is perhaps no surprise, given hardly any transactions had been made yet in the tvOS App Store. That's now been rectified, however, so you can swipe around with Apple's upgraded remote and get a better sense of what's hot. As 9to5Mac notes, video games seem to be making an early impression. Given the medium is entirely new to Apple TV, it's logical that titles like Alto's Adventure, Lumino City and Manticore Rising are creeping into the "Top Paid" rankings. That could change, of course, as the new Apple TV install base grows -- once everyone's usage settles down, we suspect the usual suspects like Netflix and HBO Now will dominate the "Top Free" spots.

  By Nick Summers Read More

• Apple is quietly working on a new indoor mapping system

  Apple has discreetly released an RF-based interior positioning app called Indoor Survey, as spotted by developer Steve Troughton-Smith. It appeared recently on the App Store, and the description says you can "drop 'points' on a map within the Survey App [to] indicate your position within the venue as you walk through. As you do so, the Indoor Survey App measures the radio frequency (RF) signal data and combines it with an iPhone's sensor data." That lets you find your position inside a mall, arena or other venue "without the need to install special hardware," according to Apple.

  By Steve Dent Read More

Apps (53)

• Sending private Twitch messages on iOS gets a lot easier today

  It looks like Twitch gathered enough feedback from its Android test run of mobile private messaging, "Whispers," because the feature has made its way to iOS. A post on the live-streaming juggernaut's blog says that all you need to do to access Whispers on your Cupertino-branded device is update the app. Oh, and similar to the current beta for Google's mobile OS, the company would really like it if you submit your feedback. Pretty simple! Free stuff on Cyber Monday? That's a trend I can get behind.

  By Timothy J. Seppala Read More

• Adobe Premiere Clip brings its video-editing tools to Android

  Adobe's bet on mobile productivity is serious, with its suite of Creative Cloud apps leading the way. One of the company's newest applications is Premiere Clip, a video editor that first debuted on iOS. But now Adobe is bringing this app to Android, giving users on the platform a fast and easy way to create videos on the go. Adobe Premiere Clip automatically creates videos from media stored on your smartphone or tablet (among other things), which can then be shared to Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Aside from letting you distribute saved videos on social media, you can also polish those on the desktop with Adobe Premiere Pro CC -- though you'll need a subscription for the latter feature. The best part about Premiere Clip is that it's free, and could be a good option if you have to make a video in a pinch.

  By Edgar Alvarez Read More

• UN says dating apps helped foster a teen HIV epidemic

  Dating apps certainly have their virtues, but a new UN study suggests that they could sometimes play a big role in spreading sexually transmitted diseases. The report finds that dating apps helped spread an HIV epidemic among teens in the Asia-Pacific region by facilitating more casual sex. Effectively, they created networks where infections could quickly spread -- one HIV-positive person could easily affect numerous lives.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• App turns your writing into trippy 3D images

  It's easy to imagine a piece of art in your head, but making it real is another matter if you're not an artist. Wouldn't it be nice if you could simply describe what you wanted? WordsEye is trying just that. Its beta web app lets you describe a scene using natural-language text, and uses statistical parsing to translate that into a 3D image. You can name objects and their qualities using terms that are as fuzzy or exacting as you like, including relative concepts like position. It's easy to use, although the results can be more than a little surreal -- just look at the pictured rat on a cat on a Christmas cow if you need proof.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• See the radio waves constantly bathing you with this app

  Whether or not you realize it, there are radio waves constantly washing over you. Thanks to the countless WiFi routers, cellular towers, and GPS satellites (not to mention all the Bluetooth and other smaller wireless devices) the air is literally just a sea of energy. Architecture of Radio is an app that aims to visualize those ebbs and flows of data. Creator Richard Vijgen taps into a public database of 7 million cell towers, 19 million Wi-Fi routers and hundreds of satellites to create an augmented reality experience where you can point your iPad or iPhone in any direction and a representation of the radio signals in your area.

  By Terrence O'Brien Read More

• Giphy Cam finally lets you make GIFs from videos

  Giphy Cam, the app that lets you become a master GIFs-man (or woman, it doesn't discriminate) has just released its first major update. Before, users were only able to create GIFs using the native camera, either capturing 10 second full-motion clips or 5-shot bursts that are then stitched-together. Now users can import photos and videos from their camera rolls. What's more, people are able to trim their clips, apply more than one filter to the GIF and add text, giving their creations even more personality. Giphy Cam is still only available on iOS devices with no mention of when it'll cross platforms. In the meantime, Android users will have to rely on the Giphy bank of pre-made GIFs to express their animated points.

  By Christopher Klimovski Read More

• Hoopla's public library app gets Chromecast support

  Hoopla, the app that lets you borrow videos, books and music from your local library digitally, has been on a roll this year when it comes to adding comics. Now, it's making a play for your living room by adding Chromecast support for videos. You'll need a public library card to access Hoopla's streaming catalog, as always, but at least you won't have to worry about late fees. Anything you borrow from Hoopla expires automatically (and yes, multiple people can view the same file at once). Digital lending isn't anything new for libraries, but usually it involves fighting with a clunky library website, rather than having everything accessible through a simple app. Hoopla currently covers 865 library systems, and its library now has more than 400,000 pieces of media.

  By Devindra Hardawar Read More

• New York's anti-terror reporting app could easily cause problems

  New York state is understandably more anxious than ever about terrorist threats, and it's hoping that some mobile technology will bolster its defenses. Governor Cuomo has launched a campaign that encourages New Yorkers to use See Something, Send Something, a smartphone app that helps you report suspicious activity to officials. While the software is already in use in five states, this promises to be its biggest test yet. It's coming to one of the most populous parts of the country, and one where terrorist attacks have been all too real.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Shazam's song recognition just got a lot faster

  Shazam is doubling down on what it does best with its latest update: Recognizing songs when your memory (or pop cultural knowhow) fails you. And, for the first time, the app now highlights a search feature on its main page, which lets you dig for more information about songs and artists. The goal, naturally, is to convince you to stay within Shazam rather than hopping over to the web for music research. In my brief testing, the new Shazam app recognized songs from television and radio in a few seconds -- at times it even found a result in under a second. It feels significantly faster than previous versions of the app, which sometimes took over five seconds to lock onto a song. That's not a huge difference, but given that Shazam has been around for years (it was one of the first killer apps back when the iPhone's App Store launched in 2008), it needs to keep improving to keep up with competitors like Soundhound.

  By Devindra Hardawar Read More

• Opera Max saves data while you stream music

  The data savings of Opera Max for Android may make the most sense when you're watching cat videos, but music matters, too -- listen to a few albums and you'll easily burn through several hundred megabytes. Thankfully, Opera might just have you covered. It just trotted out an update to Opera Max that can optimize your music streaming data by as much as 50 percent in apps like Pandora, Slacker or YouTube Music. The trick is on-the-spot conversion of audio from MP3 or MP4 to the more data-efficient AAC+ format. Yes, that transcoding theoretically affects quality ever so slightly, but it might be worthwhile if you can listen to a few more tunes during your commute.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Domino's makes ordering pizza dangerous with 'Easy Order' button

  With more than half of its customers now ordering via its mobile apps, it's fair to say that Domino's has pizza delivery down to a fine art. But in this modern age, there's always room to shave a couple of seconds off the purchasing process. That's where "The Easy Order" comes in. Domino's has brought one-click pizza ordering to the UK, letting you hit a physical button to get your favourite pizza delivered to your doorstep.

  By Matt Brian Read More

• This fitness tracking app pays you to walk more

  Having a hard time motivating yourself to exercise? What if somebody offered to pay you work out? That's the idea behind Bitwalking -- an app, digital currency and marketplace that pays its users 1BW$ (Bitwalking dollar) for every 10,000 steps they take.

  By Sean Buckley Read More

• Experience the Paris vigils using the New York Times' VR app

  The New York Times launched its virtual reality news app last month, and in the wake of the Paris attacks last week, it's giving readers a glimpse at the heartbeat of the city. The NYT VR app allows viewers to experience the vigils taking place in Paris, offering people in other parts of the world a look at some of the stories unfolding in the days following the tragic events. While The New York Times' use of VR is still in the early stages, it's already showing its potential. NYT VR provides a platform where readers are better able to relate to events and stories by stepping inside them rather than simply reading about them. "Our mission as journalists is to answer questions," an article accompanying the video explains. "In this case, we sought to answer the question of how a city gathers itself and begins moving forward." If you don't have access to a VR headset, you can watch the interactive piece via 360-degree videos on both Facebook and YouTube. [Image credit: LightRocket via Getty Images]

  By Billy Steele Read More

• SeatGeek lets you easily resell tickets, transfer them to friends

  SeatGeek has made a name for itself with its mobile app, which lets you snap up tickets for sporting events, concerts and the like, while also giving you a view of your seat. But starting today, you can also use the new SeatGeek Marketplace to resell tickets without much fuss. You just need to drag a PDF of your ticket onto your SeatGeek account page and the service will grab all of the relevant event details for you. The company also uses its pricing data to suggest a potential price for your ticket that'll get you the best return. Payments are handled using Venmo, which means you won't have to give up your bank account details to SeatGeek, and the company takes a 15 percent cut from the sale. You can also transfer tickets to friends from SeatGeek's mobile apps and charge them at the same time (there's no transaction fee for friend transfers).

  By Devindra Hardawar Read More

• Google Play will start labeling ad-supported apps

  Google Play clearly states which applications have in-app purchases, and starting in 2016, it'll also be more transparent when it comes to ads. According to Droid Life, Mountain View has notified developers (see the full email below the fold) that they're required to sign into their consoles and declare whether their applications have advertisements. And, if they lie about it, they could face suspension. Google originally launched the "ad-supported" tag in April in its kid-friendly Play Store as part of the Designed for Families program. Now, developers only have until January 11, 2016 to tag their apps, since the label itself is slated to begin showing up in the regular Play Store "early next year."

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Skype updates Android app so you can save video messages

  Next time you receive a memorable video message on Skype that you want to keep forever, you can tap it and then choose Save to Gallery if you're using an Android device. The messaging application has released an update that adds the capability to its Android version, along with a few other features. For instance, you can now long-press a conversation on your Recents tab to bring up a new toolbar, which gives you quick access to delete, mark as read and mute notifications buttons. The new app gives you an easy way to share images from your gallery to a group convo and forward images from one conversation to another, as well. In addition, you can now forward Mojis (these are short reaction video clips similar to GIFs) and take advantage of a better search function. Skype has already rolled out its latest Android version, and you can download the app with all these features from Google Play if you haven't yet.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Stagelight teaches you how to make music on your Android phone

  If you like the idea of learning to compose music on your phone, your go-to app has typically been GarageBand on IOS. But what if you're rocking an Android phone and would rather not switch? Don't worry, you're covered. Open Labs has released a pocket-sized Android version of Stagelight, its music-making app. It's free to get started, and includes lessons that help you write your first tracks. You pay only as you expand your talents -- like with GarageBand, there's an in-app store that offers more samples and extra features. While you probably won't produce a hot track solely on your phone (you can sync with Stagelight across devices), this could be what you need to either understand the basics of music or make a rough cut that you can polish later.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Telegram blocked 78 ISIS messaging channels this week

  As details emerged after ISIS' coordinated, deadly attacks on Paris and Beirut last week, one name stood out in conversations about communications channels: Telegram. ISIS operatives use Telegram and other encrypted messaging services to communicate -- a fact that was apparently news to Telegram. In response, this week the company blocked 78 ISIS-related channels in 12 languages. "We were disturbed to learn that Telegram's public channels were being used by ISIS to spread their propaganda," the company writes. Telegram found and blocked the channels based on user-submitted reports.

  By Jessica Conditt Read More

• Google's iPhone app gets better (looking)

  Not to be outdone by Microsoft's new Bing app for the iPhone, Google has just released version 10 of its main iOS search-focused app. It's not a massive revision like Microsoft released today but rather a tweak to put the iOS app on par with its Android counterpart. The biggest change comes in Google Now: cards are more clearly organized by different categories like "upcoming," "updates," "stories to read" and so forth. While they weren't exactly displayed randomly before, these new headings help make more sense out of the various info Google Now will throw at you at any given time. Google says "timely info" like details relating to upcoming travel will show up first, while less time-sensitive cards will show up lower down your feed.

  By Nathan Ingraham Read More

• Dunkin' Donuts takes aim at Starbucks with mobile ordering and delivery

  You can already order your coffee from Starbucks before you get there, and soon you may be able to do the same from another popular purveyor of the brew. Dunkin' Donuts is testing mobile ordering through its app at locations in Portland, Maine. What's more, a few stores in Dallas are trying their hand at delivery and some in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles and Washington will begin coffee drop-offs soon. The move follows coffee giant Starbucks getting into both ordering ahead and delivery, so it's likely Dunkin' Donuts is looking to keep pace by offering its customers an easier way to get their caffeine and sugar fix. Of course, a number of other restaurants also offer similar services, including the likes of Chipotle and Taco Bell. As both ordering and delivery are in the trial phase, there's no word on when the services will expand nationwide in the US or to the company's limited footprint in the UK and other countries. [Image credit: Bloomberg via Getty Images]

  By Billy Steele Read More

• Google lowers minimum app prices in 17 countries

  To many people around the globe, 99-cent apps might still be too expensive. In an effort to reach more people worldwide, Google has lowered the minimum app price in the Play Store for 17 countries, after a successful pilot in India earlier this year. Prices vary depending on location: Indians enjoy the lowest minimum price of 10 Indian Rupees (15 cents), while folks in Turkey and Ukraine will be able to buy the cheapest apps for 21 cents each. Poland is getting the smallest price cut of them all, but the minimum amount still costs less than half a dollar at 45 cents. You can find the full price list below the fold with their US dollar conversations. If you're a developer willing to sell at a lower price, you can adjust your apps' pricing scheme under "Pricing & Distribution" or "In-app Products" in Google Play's Developer Console.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Pushbullet's 'Pro' syncing service is stuff that used to be free

  Pushbullet, the mighty app that lets you sync notifications, links, photos and SMS between your phone and computer, has just announced that it will be offering a Pro tier. But here's the kicker: paying $4.99 a month or $39.99 annually doesn't actually buy you anything new (other than supporting its developer's needs for things like food and shelter). A blog post announcing the changes tried to justify the move, but its explanations seem oddly close to threats. "We could have kept Pushbullet completely free, following the path of many free services by showing ads and selling data to make money. We don't want to do that." And we certainly hope they don't have to!

  By Christopher Klimovski Read More

• Todoist is bringing its popular productivity app to Windows 10

  Todoist's take on the to-do list is handy for keep your daily agenda organized, and now it's available for Windows 10 users. The free productivity app is available for Microsoft's operating system as a preview, syncing those important tasks across mobile and desktop devices. And yes, it will update across operating systems too, in cause you need to tuck your Surface Pro 4 away and check your to-do list on your iPhone or Android handset. Many of the tools are held over from desktop, iOS and Android versions of the app including setting due dates, managing tasks and collaborating with your colleagues. Just like the add-on for Gmail, there's an Outlook extension that allows you to turn emails into tasks with a click or tap. For larger screens like the Surface tablets, Todoist offers a three-pane view to help keep things organized and easy to find. While the app supports Live Tiles now, it'll also play nice with Cortana in the near future. If you're looking to give it a shot, the Todoist preview is available in the Windows Store now.

  By Billy Steele Read More

• Twitch private messages make their way to mobile

  Twitch introduced its private messaging, dubbed Whisper, almost six months ago and now the system is rolling out to mobile. Like normal, a small number of Android users will get the functionality first and Twitch says that once its gathered enough feedback for a full deployment, the feature will hit iOS. If you get the notification to update the app, you're in; otherwise there's nothing else you have to do. The live-streaming service announced some big changes to its video-on-demand section at TwitchCon this year and those are starting to come to fruition, as well. Support for thumbnail editing is live for everyone. Sadly, you can't upload your own images though. Instead, Twitch will auto-generate a quartet of thumbnails for any past broadcasts -- generous! Twitch says that further customization options are coming down the pike. Should you need something to hold you over until then, well, there are always Bob Ross Mondays.

  By Timothy J. Seppala Read More

• How Money-Saving Apps Can Help Pay for Your Smartphone

  Smartphones are more popular than ever before and this isn't going to change any time soon. Once you add the cost of the latest phone together with the monthly charges for your phone and internet services, most smartphones will set you back around £30 / $45 per month, based on a two year contract. If you're contemplating taking the plunge, or have a smartphone already but having a hard time paying for it, put that smartphone to work and think smart. By downloading apps that help you save money on the things you need to buy anyway, along with reducing your monthly call charges, your smartphone can literally pay for itself! Here are some of the best money-saving apps and tips. Money-Saving Apps For Food Grocery IQ We all know that impulse buys waste a lot of money, so wouldn't it be nice if you could print out a concise shopping list to help you stay on task? Sit down with your weekly shopping list and fire up the Grocery IQ app. As you enter each item, it will tell you the current price at your local market, then search for any related discounts or coupons on it. If you're not picky about the brand, you can check which brands are in stock and compare prices. Once you've chosen what you want to buy, the app will group your items by aisle so you'll be in and out of the store in a snap. You can even email the list to yourself to print it out, along with any coupons it found for your items. RedLaser If someone in your family has food allergies or you're trying to lose weight, this app will become indispensable to you. When you scan the barcode of an item you're considering purchasing, it will not only look for a better price in other stores, but also provide essential nutritional information, including a list of food allergens you need to avoid. Staying healthy will definitely save you money in the long run! Money-Saving Apps For Shopping KeyRing Rewards Cards You've probably signed up for loyalty reward cards from many of your favourite merchants, but the cards are taking over your wallet, or are easily misplaced. Wouldn't it be nice to store them all in your smartphone? This app keeps track of all of them for you, and will also alert you when special offers become available from each store. ShopSavvy This app is very powerful because it enables you to scan the barcode of an item you're planning to purchase, and then it will tell you which local store or online merchant is currently offering it for the lowest price. Imagine how much you can save with just this app alone! Basket Savings This amazing app is similar to ShopSavvy, because it will help you find the lowest price for any item you're about to purchase. But Basket Savings takes things to the next level with over 800 million products and sale prices from over 100k different stores. Avoid Calling Premium Rate Numbers SmartCaller Did you know that calling a premium rate 0845 / 0870 phone number can cost you up to 45p per minute and are not included in your free minute's allowance? Use a service like Smart Caller to search for Freephone numbers for the company you want to call. This can save you a huge amount on your monthly phone bill. The best phone number prefixes to call are freephone 0800 or 0808 numbers or any of the increasingly popular "03" range including 0300, 0333 and 0345 numbers. Please Press 1 When you call shops and businesses you often find yourself spending several minutes navigating the phone menu system. Did you know you don't need to all the menu options before pressing the option you want? Using Please Press 1 you can Find phone numbers and menus for thousands of phone numbers and view the menu options you need. Once you know these you can call the company and as each menu starts press ahead. This means you're spending less time on the call and ultimately pay less on your phone bill.

  By Edward Watkinson Read More

• In the App Store, love comes cheap

  When you're a writer, people expect you to write. And when you're courting someone the pressure to write for them, and to do it well, is amplified. My most recent romantic conquest, a Mexican interior designer, lived in LA. He was a diehard romantic, hundreds of miles away, and despite a slight language barrier, he had a way with words that I struggled to match. He had the ability to make me melt with a single text. I, in turn, would sit for minutes at a time, wringing my heart and brain for just one drop of sweet sentiment.

  By Christopher Trout Read More

• PowerPoint spruces up your presentation using image recognition

  If you've ever slapped together a PowerPoint presentation at the last minute, Microsoft has an Office 2016 feature called Designer that may save your bacon. It worked with graphics pros to build about 12,000 "blueprint" design templates in total. All you have to do is select an image, and it will use the cloud "to analyze and identify the most compelling portion of your images," and build an appropriate design. For instance, it can zoom in on the tomatoes or peas (above) to build a theme, or avoid busy overlay images altogether if you have lots of charts. Once you've picked an appropriate blueprint, you just need to fill it in with your content.

  By Steve Dent Read More

• Microsoft OneNote gets instant access on Android, 3D Touch on iOS

  Microsoft has released quite a number of major OneNote updates for Android, iOS, Windows and the web. If you're an Android user, you'll be able to quickly write down thoughts or copy-paste text even if you have another app open, thanks to the new OneNote badge. It can live anywhere on the screen, and you simply have to tap it to open it up. The company's doing staged roll outs, though, so you might have to wait for two to three weeks to get the feature. If you have an iPhone 6s or 6s Plus, you'll get 3D Touch support instead. When you press on the app icon, a menu will pop up allowing you to quickly create a new note or view recent ones. In addition, OneNote's interface has been optimized for the iPad Pro's larger screen.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• App Store's failed download bug traced to expired security certificate

  Numerous Apple customers found themselves unable to download and run Mac apps from the App Store on Wednesday night. It appears the service outage culprit is Apple itself. More specifically, the culprit was an anti-piracy security certificate that Apple issued back in 2010 but which expired last night just before 10 PM GMT. Once developer Paul Haddad spotted the error, however, Apple quickly issued a new certificate to get the store back up and running.

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• Google Play Books is more comic friendly thanks to vertical scrolling

  Is Google Play Books your go-to app for reading comic books? If so, your digital page turning is about to get a whole lot better. While the app is getting a number of updates, the most notable is the introduction of vertical scrolling. Rather than having to flip to the next page, which can be a bit awkward when it comes to comics on a phone or tablet, simply turn your device to landscape mode and scroll vertically with a swipe. There's a curated series section too, organizing volumes, issues and editions of some of the most popular titles. To help you find new reading material, the app will also offer personalized recommendations based on what you're reading. Just as a reminder, Google Play Books houses comics from major publishers like DC Comics, Marvel, Image, IDW and Dark Horse. The update is rolling out to Android users "over the next few days" and iOS is said to follow soon after for users in the US, Canada, Australia, Great Britain, India, Singapore, Ireland, New Zealand, and South Africa.

  By Billy Steele Read More

• Native Instruments uses 3D Touch for better mobile beat making

  Native Instruments is a huge player in the music production and DJ world. Its Traktor DJ software and (myriad) hardware controllers are a favorite with digital crate diggers. The company also manages to squeeze Traktor (and Maschine) into surprisingly comprehensive iOS apps -- but there's obviously a trade off. That gap in functionality shrinks a little today with iMaschine 2, which has the ability to make complete songs (not just loops), and puts Apple's 3D Touch -- a feature that's ripe for music making apps such as these -- to clever use.

  By James Trew Read More

• Runtastic Results wants to be the P90X of mobile apps

  There are currently a total of 15 Runtastic apps available across iOS, Android and Windows Phone. But the Austrian startup, recently acquired by sportswear giant Adidas, doesn't want to stop there. Today, it is introducing Results, an application that focuses solely on body training. This is Runtastic's version of the popular P90X fitness program, designed for the mobile era and to complement its other fitness-friendly software. Even though the app's available at no cost on iOS and Android, a premium, $50-per-year membership is going to unlock a dynamic 12-week workout plan. Here, you will get support from the Runtastic community, a personal nutrition guide and more than 120 exercise videos -- those, by the way, have been shot at 6K resolution, making them easier on the eye.

  By Edgar Alvarez Read More

• Firefox finally comes to iOS

  While Mozilla wants Firefox to be all things to all people, the browser has been noticeably missing from Apple's App Store. The software company put that down to the iPhone maker's software policy, namely that it'd have to use iOS' default browser engine instead of its own. Mozilla slowly came around to the idea and announced it would bring Firefox to iOS at the end of last year and now, after performing some localized testing in New Zealand, the browser is now finally available to iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch users.

  By Matt Brian Read More

• Yahoo highlights image and video search results for Firefox users

  Yahoo is adding more colors and visuals to its search results page, but only if you're using Firefox on a computer. Now, when you search for a public figure's name or a movie, you'll see a banner made of images and videos across the top of the page. Desktop search in general has taken other features from the mobile version: it now surfaces the most important information first, such as movie details from IMDB, theater tickets (which you can buy) from Fandango, and even Yelp and TripAdvisor reviews. The search engine has recently started returning Flickr photos, including your own (see image above), when you do an image search, as well. The new image and video banner's live for Windows, Mac and Linux users -- if you've never changed your default search option, simply type what you want to look up in Firefox's URL box -- though you'd have to be in the US to be able to enjoy it.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Facebook's Notify news app sends headlines to your lock screen

  If you're an iPhone user who feels like they don't quite have enough notifications being pushed to your lock screen, fear not -- Facebook has you covered. The company just released a new app called Notify that is focused on bringing you notifications for a curated set of news and events that you mercifully can pick and choose yourself. Content is grouped by expected categories like business, culture, entertainment,food and drink and so on. Once you dig into a category, you're presented with a list of stations that tell you exactly what kind of alerts it'll deliver.

  By Nathan Ingraham Read More

• Chrome will stop supporting XP, Vista and early OS X in April 2016

  It seems like Google is looking to do a little spring cleaning. In an announcement on the official Google Chrome blog, the company noted that starting in April of next year, it will no longer support browsers on Windows XP, Vista and Mac OS X 10.6, 10.7 and 10.8 devices. Google had alluded to the discontinuation of support back in April and reasoned that these older -- and in XP's case, almost prehistoric -- operating systems can no longer offer the crucial security updates the web browser needs to keep malware at bay. This means that older operating systems running Chrome browsers will still be fully operational, though they won't be eligible for new updates and features. Update: An earlier headline said Google would end Chrome support for the above operating systems at the end of this year. It will actually end support in April 2016.

  By Christopher Klimovski Read More

• SceneSkim movie app does exactly what it says it would

  As much as I love watching movies, I'm not doing it for work and don't really need to worry about finding a specific scene or line of dialogue as fast as possible. But I'm not a film scholar or student, so those folks have it a little tougher when it comes to such matters. To that end, researchers have at the University of California Berkeley have developed SceneSkim. It's a bit of tech that leverages captions, scripts and plot summaries to speed up searching for scenes in flicks rather than manually fast forwarding or rewinding. There's a video of it in action below and it looks pretty slick, actually and should be a boon for the people who need quick access to specific movie scenes.

  By Timothy J. Seppala Read More

• Hangouts video calls are getting a quality boost

  Google isn't giving up in its bid to improve Hangouts' call quality any time soon. It just introduced a redesigned web calling experience that, on top of a simpler interface, improves quality across the board. Video chats should not only look better overall, but start faster and stay sharper. Only a handful of Hangouts users get to try this right now, but it should expand worldwide in the near future. Just be aware that you may lose some features you like -- as one early adopter notes, app support within Hangouts is currently missing. That doesn't necessarily mean that the support is gone for good, but you shouldn't count on it coming back.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Periscope adds rewinding and fast forwarding

  We live in a fast-paced world and sometimes there are things that we miss. The folks over at Periscope understand this and so have added a rewind and fast forward function to the app. All you need to do is hold your finger down on a replay broadcast and it will minimize, allowing you to drag and drop at a timestamp you wish to start watching from. Currently the new features are available on the web version of the app and around half of Android user accounts. Not to worry, though, the company says it plans to release the updated app for iOS users and the remaining Android accounts in the coming weeks.

  By Christopher Klimovski Read More

• The New York Times VR app took me inside the news

  I'm standing in the center of a rubble-filled classroom. The floor is ankle deep in books with overturned desks jutting up like volcanic islands in a sea of literature. At the chalkboard, a young boy is writing something. It's difficult to see what he's writing on the one item that establishes that kids used to learn in this room. I do know that the boy's name is Oleg and he's one of three child subjects of the New York Times' VR app (NYT VR) lead story, The Displaced. He starts telling me his story and I'm spinning trying to take in the virtual environment the publication has dropped me in. Everything is fuzzy at first while I adjust my iPhone in the Google Cardboard headset. Then after a few adjustments, everything lines up. It's not crystal clear, but the story starts to unfold without the technology getting too much in the way. That should be the end game for The New York Times. Tell stories without the tech getting in the way. The app is a good -- yet gimmicky -- start, but it'll need more adjustments to bring it into focus and really change the way we get our news.

  By Roberto Baldwin Read More

• Google Keep launches share extension on iPhones and iPads

  Google has given its Keep app for iOS new features that might make you consider using it more often. It's now so much easier to save tidbits of whatever you're reading on your browser, after all: simply highlight the part you want to copy, go to Share and look for the new Keep extension. If it's the first time you're taking advantage of the feature, just tap More and activate Keep on the Activities list. You can also add a quick view of the app and its contents under Today in the Notification Center, which you can click for quick access. Finally, it's extremely easy to copy your notes to Google Docs now -- choose the one you want to save and then click the appropriate option in the menu that pops up -- in case you want to do a bit of spring cleaning and keep a record of all your previous notes at the same time.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• The New York Times VR app launches with portraits of refugee children

  At a time when virtual reality is changing the way we experience entertainment, it was only a matter of time before news outlets turned to immersive storytelling. The New York Times was one of the first major news outlets to announce its VR efforts last month. Today they launched the NYT VR app with three poignant portraits -- a 9-year-old Sudanese boy, a 12-year-old Syrian girl and an 11-year-old boy from eastern Ukraine -- to highlight the plight of 30 million children who have been displaced by war. The Times is making a Google Cardboard kit available to its domestic subscribers along with their Sunday editions on November 8, but the stories can also be viewed without a headset on both iPhone and Android devices.

  By Mona Lalwani Read More

• Flickr takes advantage of iOS 9 and your iPhone 6s

  The pressure-sensitive touch on the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus was practically tailor-made for quickly glancing at photos, so wouldn't it make sense that major photography apps let you do just that? Flickr sure thinks so. It's launching an updated iOS app that takes full advantage of iOS 9, including 3D Touch on the iPhone 6s line. You can peek at photos, people and notifications with a firm push. It'll even flip through your camera roll if you swipe at the same time, giving you a quick way to share the right snapshot. As you might've guessed, that extra dimension also gives you home screen icon shortcuts that help you post photos that much sooner.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Fitbit-owned app creates customized exercises on Android devices

  A couple of years before it was acquired by Fitbit in 2015, FitStar released an app starring NFL star Tony Gonzalez that can create customized workouts based on your goals and fitness level. Now, that app has arrived on Google Play. It's officially called "FitStar Personal Trainer," because it's close to having a personal trainer: it digs into its stock video collection to stitch exercise routines together for you. Of course, you'll need to be honest when keying in your details if you want the app to be able to craft the most effective sessions with the right moves and intensity.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Google Maps for iOS speaks out traffic warnings while you drive

  If you're carrying an iPhone, Google Maps just got much more helpful in those moments when you're determined to avoid gridlock. As on Android, Maps' iOS app now speaks out traffic warnings in navigation mode. You'll get a verbal summary of conditions before you start moving, and alerts for any congestion or crashes while you're on your way. Is this a simple addition? You bet -- but it could mean a lot if it helps you take a detour.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Evernote adds sketching and split-screen features on iOS

  Sketching has been available in Evernote's Penultimate app for quite some time, but now the company's main productivity app is handling your scribbles on its own. With an update for its iOS apps, Evernote now lets you sketch notes with a Jot stylus or Apple Pencil and stores them for safekeeping. What's more, if your input device of choice supports 3D Touch, you'll notice the line weight vary based on how much pressure you apply. You can also adjust the line thickness manually between five settings and choose between 10 color options. When you're done, those drawings sync just like any other Evernote entry and the app's handwriting recognition makes those scribbles searchable, should the need arise. The new version of the app also delivers split-screen multi-tasking that's made possible by iOS 9, so long as you're using it on a iPad Pro, iPad Air 2, or iPad Mini 4. Ready to give it a go? The update is available now from the App Store.

  By Billy Steele Read More

• Free app brings local news broadcasts to Android, iOS and Roku

  We're living in a cord-cutter's world where everyone seems to be ditching their cable and satellite subscriptions in favor of the cheaper alternative: streaming. The problem is, when we clense ourselves of all those pesky cords we also lose a wide range of local news broadcasts. NewsON is a new app available for Android, iOS and Roku that offers video content from a total of 118 stations in 90 different markets. The app features live and on-demand newscasts, clips from the station that can be accessed at any time and even the ability to post real-time tweets about the news coverage.

  By Christopher Klimovski Read More

• Facebook reportedly launching a standalone news app next week

  According to Financial Times, Facebook will be releasing yet another standalone app. The yet-to-be-released Notify app will feature news from media partners like The Washington Post, CBS and Vogue. Users will receive alerts when one of the outlets publishes an article and it becomes available within the app. Unlike Instant Articles -- which embed articles within the main Facebook app -- Notify will be a one-trick pony. Both the app and in-app features are meant to reduce the load time of stories and give the social network the opportunity to become the go-to destination for news from multiple sources. If the app does emerge from the company next week, it'll join a growing number of single-use apps the company has released over the years including, Messenger, Poke, Camera, Rooms, Slingshot, Groups and Pages. [Image credit: Shutterstock]

  By Roberto Baldwin Read More

• Cortana for iPhone beta signups kick off

  Just as it did with Android, Microsoft is gearing up to bring its Cortana virtual assistant to iPhones. The beta release of Cortana won't have all of its features -- you can't say "Hey Cortana" to wake it up, for example -- but it sounds you'll be able to ask Cortana questions manually and add reminders. Basically, it'll have the same limitations as the current Cortana Android beta. If you want to be a Cortana guinea pig, fill out this survey to sign up for the beta and sit tight for a download link over the next few weeks. Be warned, though, Microsoft also says it's only looking for a "limited number"of people to try it out, and it's currently only available in the US and China. You can be sure it'll open up the Cortana for iPhone beta even more eventually.

  By Devindra Hardawar Read More

• Firefox brings its tracking-resistant private browsing to everyone

  Psst: the private browsing mode in your current web browser probably isn't that private. It'll (usually) get rid of your history and cookies, but it won't prevent cross-site trackers from getting a feel for what you're doing. However, you now have an easy way to deal with that -- Mozilla has released a finished version of Firefox with its promised stricter Private Browsing mode. Switch it on and you'll get tracking protection that blocks code from those ads and social services that follow you from site to site. There's also a central control panel on the desktop for managing privacy and security, including the option to turn tracking protection off if it's breaking an important page.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Plex comes to the new Apple TV for free

  The Plex team just delivered the first version of its media streaming app for the new Apple TV. Now that there's an app store, Plex's media player is accessible without any jailbreaking or even AirPlay sidestepping necessary and better yet, it's free to use. All you'll need is one of the double-height media players and the latest version of Plex Media Server to give it a try -- no in-app purchases or PlexPass subscription necessary. At least for now, Plex says it's using TVML for the app instead of writing a fully native version, which enabled it to get up and running in just five weeks.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• SoundCloud's latest mobile app helps share your audio creations

  SoundCloud has made much ado over playing its eclectic audio mix from your phone. But what if you're a creator who wants to make sure those tracks blow up? That's where the new SoundCloud Pulse might come in handy. The Android app currently lets you share audio, track the popularity of your work and respond to comments. That may not sound like much, but SoundCloud is promising a lot more in the future. Among other things, you'll eventually get to edit track info and upload new content directly -- helpful if you just have to record a podcast episode on your phone. There's no mention of when these features or a promised iOS version will arrive. However, it's clear that SoundCloud doesn't want you to retreat to a computer just to manage your masterpieces.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Now you can create Windows 10 apps without writing a line of code

  The Windows Store isn't exactly known for being a robust app marketplace, and Microsoft knows it. The company is always looking for new ways to attract developers to the platform. In the past, Microsoft made tools designed to port iOS and Android apps to Windows, and created the Universal app system that puts all Windows apps on the same platform. Now, Microsoft has updated its App Studio to allow users to create, prototype and submit an app for release from the comfort of a web browser -- without installing Visual Studio or writing a single line of code. It works, too: I just created a functional Windows 10 app in less than ten minutes.

  By Sean Buckley Read More

Big Tech (20)

• LG's spending billions to make more OLED things

  LG's OLED 4K TVs are jaw-droppingly gorgeous, but the price still isn't anywhere near the level it needs to be for mass consumer adoption. Hopefully the company's new manufacturing plant can help that a bit thanks to economies of scale. A Reuters report says that the South Korean firm is spending some $8.71 billion (around 10 trillion Korean won) on a new manufacturing facility for the display panels in Paju, South Korea. Perhaps this can make up for some of the losses the tech giant suffered by halting production at one of its TV plants due to a gas leak earlier this year.

  By Timothy J. Seppala Read More

• Mozilla says it doesn't need Google's cash to survive

  For many years, Firefox's survival was tied into how generous the folks over at Google were feeling, since the company effectively bankrolled the browser. Times have changed, and in an interview with CNET, Mozilla's Denelle Dixon-Thayer said that its financial future is looking better than ever. Back in the day, Google paid to be the search engine of choice within Firefox, but Mozilla now prefers not to put all of its cash-based eggs in a single basket. That's why it's signed separate deals with Yahoo, Baidu and Yandex so that each one gets prominence in the US, China and Russia, respectively.

  By Daniel Cooper Read More

• Dell Apparently Pulls a Lenovo

  Dell has apparently pulled a Lenovo.Today Ars Technica reported that Dell PCs are being shipped with easily cloneable root certificates. Personally, I'm shocked. I had Dell figured to be a company that wouldn't stoop to such chicanery, but it appears I am mistaken.What is the point of the deception? A contention is that Dell wants greater visibility into consumer browsing habits in order to generate more customized adware. Presumably, efforts to conceal what we do online are making an impact. But why would an OEM like Dell be willing to risk consumer loyalty in order to perpetuate adware?Perhaps I am the naive one who believes there is any value in consumer loyalty. Maybe I can't comprehend the potential net worth involved. Maybe Dell is just desperate to get back some of the money they spent acquiring EMC, and as soon as possible. I don't know. What I do know is that I shared the Ars Technica article with a colleague, who alerted me a short time later that he had discovered the certificate on his own recently-purchased Dell -- and eradicated it.I have to applaud the possibility that as consumers we are taking even simple action against our own exploitation. It pleases me to know that SSL protocols work when properly implemented. And I, for one, am glad that vigilant end-users are sharing their discoveries with others on behalf of our digital preservation (thanks guys!). I make it seem like a crusade, don't I? Well, in enough ways, it is. Lenovo has gone out of its way to ensure that its ads are visible to us, even to the company's detriment. The penalty for the consumer's lack of reaction in the face of that kind of predatory action is the sacrifice of our tenuous and long-suffering privacy. We have to keep getting smarter about guarding our online activity, consumer loyalty be damned.

  By Yodi Collins Read More

• Apple and Microsoft's advocacy group is against encryption backdoors

  Following Tim Cook's lead, the advocacy group behind Apple, Google, Microsoft and plenty of other big tech firms has come out against calls to weaken encryption, which authorities argue would make it easier to track criminals. "Weakening encryption or creating backdoors to encrypted devices and data for use by the good guys would actually create vulnerabilities to be exploited by the bad guys," said Dean Garfield, the CEO of the Information Technology Industry Counsel (ITIC), who also represents Facebook, Twitter and AOL. It "would almost certainly cause serious physical and financial harm across our society and our economy," he added. The backlash against strong encryption is particularly heated today, following the recent Paris attacks. While secure communications are generally a good thing for consumers, governments (including the US and UK) have argued for backdoors that would allow them to intercept encrypted data. Naturally, that would make life easier for intelligence agencies, but it defeats the point of having encryption at all.

  By Devindra Hardawar Read More

• Motorola's Chicago flagship store is the antithesis of an Apple store

  Motorola has exactly one retail store, and it's located in the heart of Chicago's downtown Loop district. I happened to be in the area recently and stopped by on a Friday afternoon before its grand opening. As I found, it is, in many ways, the antithesis of an Apple store. Whereas Cupertino's retail locations feel cold, sterile and a little disconnected, Moto's outpost is warm and welcoming, with an earthy décor and smiling staff at every turn. It's outfitted with bright colors, wood panels and leather accents, while devices like the Moto X, G, E and 360 share display space with plants. What's more, the store encourages you to drop its handsets on the floor to prove how durable they are. Given all this, it's a wonder the company doesn't plan to open any more stores outside its home city.

  By Timothy J. Seppala Read More

• Yahoo restricting Mail accounts if it detects ad-blockers (updated)

  Yahoo is reportedly preventing some of its users with ad blockers installed on their computers from accessing their email accounts. Digiday has spotted a thread on the Adblock Plus forums with complaints from a couple of people who couldn't access Yahoo Mail on both Chrome and Firefox. One of them posted a screenshot of the message he got asking him to "disable Ad Blocker to continue using" the service, which you can see below the fold. If you take a close look at the URL, you'll see that it says "reason=ADBLK_TRAP." Update: A spokesperson told us: "At Yahoo, we are continually developing and testing new product experiences. This is a test we're running for a small number of Yahoo Mail users in the US."

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Groupon's new CEO insists the company is 'misunderstood'

  Last week Groupon's shares hit an all-time low, only days after appointing Rich Williams as its new CEO in place of co-founder Eric Lefkofsky. What's more, Groupon recently ceased operations in Puerto Rico, Taiwan, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden and a handful of other countries, adding to notable layoffs the company announced back in September. All of this is to say that Groupon, which offers coupons and deals to online customers, is at a crucial point in its short history -- how much longer can it go on like this? To answer that, newly appointed chief Rich Williams today wrote about Groupon's chances to win the daily local deals game, one that tech giants like Amazon have failed at, among other things.

  By Edgar Alvarez Read More

• NY Attorney General targets Yahoo's daily fantasy sports next

  Yahoo is no stranger to fantasy sports, and its foray into daily fantasy games grabbed the attention of regulators in New York. The internet company is being included in the inquiry into daily fantasy sports by the New York Attorney General's office. Yahoo was subpoenaed alongside DraftKings and FanDuel as Attorney General Eric Schneiderman looks to ban the games in his state. A distant third in the world of daily fantasy, Yahoo launched its version in July and continues to accept payments in the state of New York. However, the company shut down its daily fantasy option in Florida last month after an investigation of the industry began by a federal grand jury. With Schneiderman looking into other operators besides the two top names, it seems his goal is to rid New York of daily fantasy sports entirely and classify the games as gambling. And if he's successful, it'll be interesting to see if other states follow suit. [Image credit: Getty Images]

  By Billy Steele Read More

• Facebook truce with Google helps you find info on your phone

  Facebook and Google are calling a partial truce in their longstanding feud, and that's good news if you've ever tried to track down a contact or status update. As of Friday, Facebook is letting Google index some of the public information within its mobile app, helping you search for that content on your phone. If you find someone's profile on Google, you'll now get a direct link to their page in the app instead of on the web. This won't help if you're looking for anything you'd only see while signed in (such as a privately shared post), but it'll make life a lot easier if you hate jumping back and forth between a browser and Facebook's native software.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Airbnb draws the wrath of French designer over decorating ideas

  When you rent out your home through Airbnb, theft is probably one of a host's biggest concerns. What if a guest doesn't steal anything tangible, but copies your entire home decor? That's what Zoé de las Cases claims happened to her. She's a French interior designer who hosted Airbnb founder Brian Chesky four years ago and now has filed a lawsuit against (a very similarly decorated) Airbnb head office. It's a situation that could be laughed off as a complete coincidence, however the office seems to have replicas of very personal souvenirs and even images of Cases' grandmother up on its walls. She's upset because the company never asked her permission to replicate what is essentially a body of her work. And, of course, did not give her credit for the interior. We've reached out to Airbnb, but so for the company isn't commenting on the claims.

  By Christopher Klimovski Read More

• Lenovo blames smartphones for its first loss in six years

  Lenovo had a nice run of profits thanks to its PC business, but like many others, it's finding smartphones to be a tougher go. Thanks to charges related to its Motorola acquisition and $300 million worth of unsold phones, the company incurred a hefty $714 million net loss for the first time in six years. PC sales didn't actually help much, with revenue in that division dropping 17 percent over last year (though still less than its rivals). Despite all that, Lenovo said overall sales were actually up over last year to $12.2 billion, and added that the changes it made will save $650 million this year alone.

  By Steve Dent Read More

• Dyson loses fight to change EU power efficiency label laws

  The world of vacuum cleaners isn't exactly known for its gripping legal drama... except maybe for the one Dyson has found itself in recently. After launching legal action against the European Commission last year over new (and potentially discriminatory) energy efficiency rules for vacuum cleaners, Dyson now faces the ugly end of an EU General Court verdict. According to the BBC, the Court dismissed the whole of Dyson's argument earlier today because it couldn't come up with more reliable power tests that should be used instead.

  By Chris Velazco Read More

• Apple's Tim Cook calls Microsoft's Surface Book 'diluted' (updated)

  On top of announcing an expansion in Ireland, Apple CEO Tim Cook also took some time to weigh in on Microsoft's newest hybrid laptop, the Surface Book. "It's a product that tries too hard to do too much," he said, according to the Irish Independent. "It's trying to be a tablet and a notebook and it really succeeds at being neither. It's sort of diluted." Ouch. We actually found the Surface Book to be a pretty darn good hybrid laptop in our review. Cook's comments are particularly rich on the heels of the iPad Pro's launch this week, a large tablet with keyboard and stylus accessories that looks like it was inspired by Microsoft's Surface hybrid tablet. Of course, the big difference is that the iPad Pro is running iOS, not OS X. Cook seems to be taking more issue with Microsoft's attempt to unify desktop and mobile interfaces in a single platform.

  By Devindra Hardawar Read More

• China smashes sales records during its version of Black Friday

  In the US there's Black Friday, but in China, they get all their big online shopping discounts on November 11 aka "Singles Day" instead. As of 4:28am ET today, Alibaba's Tmall, the Chinese equivalent of Amazon, has already made over $11 billion which broke last year's record of $8.97 billion. As reminded by our friends over at TechCrunch, both numbers from that platform alone beat the entire US' online sales of last year's Thanksgiving and Black Friday combined. It's no wonder Alibaba could afford to hire Frank Underwood Kevin Spacey and James Bond Daniel Craig to kick off this year's party.

  By Richard Lai Read More

• Sony's first 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray releases will arrive early next year

  If you were hoping Ultra HD Blu-ray discs would be here in time for the holidays, you're going to have to wait a bit longer. Well, as far as Sony Pictures content is concerned anyway. The company announced today that its 4K Ultra HD discs will go on sale "in early 2016," missing the end-of-the-year estimate the Blu-ray Disc Association revealed back in August. When Sony's catalog does arrive, you can expect The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Salt, Hancock, Chappie, Pineapple Express, and The Smurfs 2 to be included in the first wave of releases. Newer movies like Fury and Captain Philips are in the works as well, and after being restored from the original film, the likes of Ghostbusters and The Fifth Element will make the leap to 4K, too.

  By Billy Steele Read More

• ?40 years later, Sony finally kills Betamax

  Betamax: the punchline for over a decades-worth of VHS-center comedy bits and most format wars. However, Sony's Beta cassettes can still be bought in Japan. Just about. Sony's announced that it's finally, finally, finally going to stop selling the cassettes. No need to rush to Tokyo just yet, as you still have until next March to buy-up all the Betamax supplies you'll never need -- including a cleaning tape. It's also dropping its MicroMV camcorder tapes In a bid to... make space in the warehouse, we guess. Image credit: SSPL via Getty Images

  By Mat Smith Read More

• Comcast leak shows that data caps aren't about congestion

  Many internet providers with data caps (especially in mobile) will tell you that those limits exist to prevent network congestion -- that's not necessarily true, but it's the official line. However, Comcast isn't even trying to make that claim. Leaked support documents show that the cable giant's customer service reps will deny that the expanding internet caps are about congestion in any form. Instead, the ceilings are about "fairness" and offering a "more flexible policy" to subscribers. Also, Comcast is telling agents to avoid describing cap-free areas as having unlimited usage. Instead, staffers are supposed to tell you that unfettered areas are still subject to Comcast's longstanding 250GB soft cap -- the company just isn't "currently enforcing" the limit. In other words... it's unlimited.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Comcast expanding internet usage caps to more areas

  Now that cord-cutting is taking off, thanks to web services like Sling TV and Hulu Plus, Comcast won't let that dictate how much money it's going to make going forward. The company, which runs cable and internet operations across the US (among other things), recently started testing bandwidth caps on Xfinity customers in Atlanta, Miami and Nashville. These internet users have a 300GB monthly limit and, if they go over it, there's an overage fee of $10 for every 50 gigabytes. Now, despite customer backlash, Comcast is expanding the plan to more places, including Tuscaloosa, Alabama; Little Rock, Arkansas; Houma, LaPlace and Shreveport, Louisiana; Chattanooga, Greenville, Johnson City/Gray, Tennessee; Charleston, South Carolina; and Galax, Virginia.

  By Edgar Alvarez Read More

• Expedia to pay $3.9 billion for Airbnb competitor HomeAway

  The short-term rental market is growing, and Expedia understandably wants a piece of it. After snapping up Orbitz and Travelocity earlier this year, it has now decided to purchase HomeAway. It's an online service that focuses on renting out vacation homes, further intensifying Expedia's rivalry with Airbnb. The travel empire has been displaying HA properties alongside hotels for a couple of years, but it will now completely own the company and all its brands. In its press release, Expedia admits that it has agreed to pay a hefty $3.9 billion for HomeAway, because it has "long had [its] eyes on the fast growing ~$100 billion alternative accommodations space." Both companies are expecting to close the deal in 2016, and if they obtain regulatory approval, Expedia will pay in cash and stock worth $38.31 per share.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Motorola is opening a retail store in Chicago this weekend

  With the holiday shopping season just around the corner, this week Motorola will open its first brick-and-mortar store in Chicago. Named Moto Shop, the space is designed to be a showroom and hands-on area for all things Motorola, the company revealed today in a blog post. That includes a Moto Maker mini workshop, which will let you customize a Moto X Pure Edition smartphone; and a Moto 360 boutique, for people who would like to try Motorola's latest smartwatches. If you happen to be in The Windy City and want to check it out, the Moto Shop's grand opening is on Saturday, November 7th.

  By Edgar Alvarez Read More

Buying Guides (22)

• 9 gifts for the ultimate tinkerer

  Winter is coming. And with it also comes the need to show the loved ones in your life just how much you care for them by spending, spending, spending on gifts. Trouble is, there are just so many options to choose from. What you really need is someone, some outside force to hold your credit card-holding hand. And boy, do we have some suggestions for you. Happy Holidays! You're very welcome.Were you or someone you know the type of kid that took apart telephones, pushed pennies into (old, CRT) TV sets or mixed as many under the sink cleaning agents together to call it a potion and see what would happen? If you answered yes to any of the above, then this is the gift-giving category you're looking for.Image credit: Getty Images

  By Engadget Read More

• The best Cyber Monday deals

  So you successfully emerged from Black Friday shopping relatively unscathed, and you've got the cash for an extra tech gift (or, let's be honest, a treat for yourself). Where do you go to spend that dough? Don't worry: we've rounded up some of the best gadget discounts for Cyber Monday, the online-focused shopping event that follows the Thanksgiving weekend. If you're looking for a 4K TV, a game console for the family or a PC upgrade, we have what you need.Most of these deals won't last beyond the day itself (November 30th), but keep an eye on the dates. A few of them are already active or will stick around for at least a day longer, so you may not be out of luck if you're traveling when Cyber Monday kicks off.[Lead image credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images]

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• 9 gifts for animal lovers

  Winter is coming. And with it also comes the need to show the loved ones in your life just how much you care for them by spending, spending, spending on gifts. Trouble is, there are just so many options to choose from. What you really need is someone, some outside force to hold your credit card-holding hand. And boy, do we have some suggestions for you. Happy Holidays! You're very welcome.Because pets (and the people who love them) deserve presents, too.Image credit: NY Daily News via Getty Images

  By Engadget Read More

• The best of Public Access Vol.14: Giving thanks

  Today is Thanksgiving day in the United States, when folks gather round a table to eat, drink and appreciate all the people in their lives. Here at Public Access, we want to give thanks too -- to all of you out there who have contributed articles, shared stories and stayed eagerly glued to our Public Access home page. We really, truly could not do it without you, so hey, thanks!

  By Amber Bouman Read More

• 6 hypermiling cars that get over 100 miles per gallon

  By Cat DiStasioFuel efficiency is one rating that can really set a car apart from the pack. Although you can't yet walk into just any dealership and drive away in a vehicle that gets more than 100 miles a gallon, there are some sweet rides out there that demonstrate just how incredibly efficient a car can be. To get a better idea of what the uber-efficient car of tomorrow looks like, we've compiled some of the most efficient vehicles on the planet, all of which exceed that 100-mpg marker. In fact, most of the cars featured here leave that rating in the dust, and several break into the quadruple digits.

  By Inhabitat Read More

• Black Friday deals: here are the UK's best

  It's that time of the year again. Black Friday has finally arrived, bringing with it a near-endless stream of deals and discounts for you to consider. If you've decided to stay at home and avoid the chaos outside -- we don't blame you, it gets pretty crazy out there -- we've rounded up the best price-drops from across the internet. If you spot anything that we might have missed, drop us a note in the comments below and we'll add it to our list as soon as possible. These deals are targeted at Brits mind you (US deals can be found here), so we're avoiding anything that forces you to pay in a currency that isn't Sterling.

  By Matt Brian Read More

• The best deals this Black Friday

  Every November, people in the US (and other parts of the world) spend millions of dollars during the biggest shopping day of the year: Black Friday. This tradition is only growing too, as retailers broaden their limited-time deals from the physical world to the internet. Whether you're looking for an e-reader or a fancy 4K TV, you won't have trouble finding deep discounts on Black Friday. Luckily we're breaking down the best deals available in 2015 to help you navigate the endless sales. So get your wallets ready and bookmark the links we're sharing with you here. And if, for whatever crazy reason, you end up lining up outside a brick-and-mortar store, be careful -- it's going to be madness.Keep an eye out for the promos starting today, November 25th, since some online stores are beginning their sale ahead of Friday. In the meantime, dig into our list and start planning how you're going to spend your hard-earned cash.

  By Edgar Alvarez Read More

• The Most Intersting Sci-Fi Books I Read In 2015

  I love to read sci-fi fantasy novels as they are packed of action, mystery and conjecture. These novels are based on adventurous and furious scene like Generation ships, meticulous forests, bang moons and many more. There are number of genres like mythological, scholar and fictional account merge with strange and informative ways. These are full of mysterious supremacy and fictional. I'm going to list here my favorite sci-fi and fantasy novels, I've read till date in 2015. Aurora: It is a wonderful generation starship novel written by American science fiction author Kim Stanley Robinson. It has a generation ship that is going to a star "Tau Ceti" to set up a human colony and returned back after failure. The exciting conception of conceivable outlook technology and the magnificence of thoughts make it more attention-grabbing. Seveneves: This speculative fiction novel is written by Neal Town Stephenson, An award winning American writer. It is jam-packed with rudiments, backgrounds and typeset whose features are shaped out of human imagination instead of everyday life. The tale tells of the pains to protect human society at the rear of ominous actions on Earth, subsequent the crumbling of the Moon. The Whispering Swarm: This fantasy novel is written by fantasy grandmaster Michael Moorcock. It gives a feel of semi autobiography of author. The biography actually grasps my concentration and it is a much more appealing than television type biographies. This novel is combination of different genres like autobiography, real-life history, invented mythology, and pulp adventure. Dark Orbit: This novel is written by popular sci-fi author Carolyn Ives Gilman. Dark Orbit has numerous mingled contrives, and an extremely extraterrestrial situation that were all very fascinating. This mysterious story about investigation and initial contact on an unknown planet. Mort: It is a comic fantasy novel written by professional writer Terry Pritchett. This is the fourth Edison of Discworld series. It has a comic fictional character "Death". He is a black-robed skeleton usually carrying a cut. In its previous Edison Death was not a leading character but in Mort, he is playing a lead role. When clumsy, but well-intentioned Mort find merely one proffer for an apprenticeship with Death, he can't precisely turn it down. But Mort finds that being Death's right-hand man isn't as bad as it seems—until he falls back to his previous, clumsy ways. The Mechanical: This fantasy trilogy is written by popular author of the alternate history trilogy, Ian Tregillis. It is a part of The Alchemy Wars series. It is based on the Dutch created mechanical army of "Clakkers" and robots who conquered the world. Chocky: This science fiction is written by John Wyndham. This novel is based on an imaginary friendship of a boy Matthew with an alien. The alien named as Chocky who saved Matthew from numerous dangers. The Vorrh: This fantasy novel is written by Brian Catling. It is a combination of historical and literary personages. It is a story about a forest – Vorrh, It is a place of evil spirits and cherubs, of fighter and priests, attentive and paranormal. It's a forest that bends time and smears memory. Legend has it that the Garden of Eden still exists at its heart. Now, a rebel English warrior intends to be the first person to pass through its area. Equipped with only an outlandish bow, he begins his voyage, but some fright the cost of his operation, and a local marksman has been chosen to impede him. Around them whirl an amazing cast of characters, together with a Cyclops raised by robots and a little girl with terrible snooping, as well as chronological characters, such as writer Raymond Roussel and photographer and Edward Muybridge. Archivist Wasp:This novel is written by Nicole Kornher-Stace. This story tells us about a Wasp whose job is to hunt ghosts. And she straggles a lot every year to she has to linger an Archivist. Distressed and without help, she wallops a good deal with the ghost of a supersoldier that she will go with him on his underworld pursue for the long-long ghost of his partner and in swap she will stumble on more about his pre-apocalyptic world, Archivists are manifest from origin to do the sacred exertion of a goddess. A dazzling, alarming, convincing book with a shipshape, complex female lead who bestrides her post-apocalyptic world like a bemused vigor of nature. Reading it was a feral journey and a meticulously pleasing one. The Philosopher Kings : This novel is a combination of legendary and idealistic characters and written by the author – Jo Walton. It is a sequel of The Just City. It is a story of gods and humans where they both learn many things from each other. Goddess Pallas Athene is the founder of the city and god Apollo is living as a normal human being. Enjoyable and substantial, with appealing characters and magnificently creative loom to philosophy and adventure.

  By Amita choudhary Read More

• My Top Three Apps for the Tech-Obsessed Traveller

  Travelling to a new place is very exciting. The thrill of seeing new sights and experiencing new things makes travel very enticing. In the past few years, the use of technology such as tablets and smartphones on our holidays has increased. Some people detest this, which is understandable. A holiday, for some people, is time to disconnect and re-energise yourself. However, other people embrace it. People today love to share their holiday experiences to family, friends and the world. Apps have been also built to make travel so much easier.As I am typing this, I am on a short vacation in New Zealand (or as what us Aussies call it, "across the ditch"). Here's my Top Three apps I had used in making my travel plans happen, and to make travelling that much more interesting and easier.I don't have flight price comparison apps in this article because while planning for this trip, prices on flights to New Zealand from Australia are reasonable from all airlines.1. TripAdvisorLooking at hotels and can't decide where to stay? TripAdvisor's app can help. With thousands of user-submitted reviews of hotels and other forms of accomodation around the world, it has become the authoritative source in finding accomodation. Sometimes, the views of other people who had stayed at your intended choice of accommodation can make the difference. I was tossing up between two places to stay when planning for my holiday to New Zealand. One hotel was closer to downtown, while the other one was a fair walk up a steep hill. Without looking at Tripadvisor, I would have booked with the former. However, TripAdvisor comments suggest the first hotel was too noisy and the rooms were too cramped. The latter hotel had more glowing reviews and had consistent high ratings. Based on that, I went with the later and I could not have been happier with that choice. It wouldn't have happened without TripAdvisor. By the way, that steep hill wasn't so bad after all!The app is free on the iTunes App Store and Google Play Store.2. TripomaticYou have your flights and hotel sorted. Now what to do during your trip? Of course, you could do the old fashioned way of writing down what you want to do. Or, look through the internet and store in to your head what to see. However, we're all busy people. This is where Tripomatic comes in. It is a itinerary planning app that you can share with friends or plan privately. Within the app, you can see places of interest in the vicinity of where you're staying. In addition, it shows you available tours that you can join. While the app also provides hotel and car hire options, I'd recommend you use TripAdvisor as above. Another great feature is the amount of offline maps available, handy when you're not able to roam or get a local SIM card with data.I used this app extensively in planning my trip here to New Zealand. There were sights I wanted see from knowledge passed on to me by Kiwi expatriates living in Australia, but I also discovered that New Zealand has so much more to offer. In addition, I found some tours that I wouldn't have thought of taking through Tripomatic.The app is free on the iTunes App Store and Google Play Store, however if you want the full offline features, it will set you back with an in-app purchase. The complete package, Tripomatic Premium, costs between $18.99 and $23.99, depending on which app store you use. Offline map regions can also be bought individually. While expensive, it is worthwhile in the end because of the data cost savings if decide to use the service offline.3. MAPS.MEWhile Tripomatic Premium's offline maps feature may satisfy some people, and for others, an easy-to-access dedicated offline map app is what they require. This is where MAPS.ME comes in. The best thing - it's free! MAPS.ME uses the OpenStreetMap data. It allows you to download any map from anywhere in the world, and use it offline. From my use here in New Zealand, the app finds the places I want to go to quickly. It provides routing directions, however I would not recommend this app to use as a car navigation tool. I'll get to that later. Rather, the routing feature of this app is better suited for walking distances. I saved data too as I didn't use it to download the maps required (I only have a 1GB data cap).MAPS.ME is available for iPhone, Android and Blackberry.Honourable Mentions Google Translate - Handy if you're not good with the language in the country you have selected. The Android version allows you to download selected languages to your phone. Hope the iPhone version gets this as well. I didn't use it for this holiday (obviously) but always have it installed just in case. Free. HERE Maps - Free turn-by-turn navigation & offline maps. However, it is missing a few countries that OpenStreetMap-sourced MAPS.ME has. Handy if you rented a car. I was planning to rent a car for this holiday but decided not to. The price of petrol is expensive here! Free. TransitTimes - Going on vacation and want to use public transport? TransitTimes for the iPhone is the app for you. Allows you to download timetables on various public transport systems across Australia, Canada, Hungary, New Zealand and the United States. The data is synced with online real-time information about location and approximate arrival times. I have used this extensively to navigate across Auckland's public transport system. $2.99 iPhone and Android.So, what are you waiting for? Go out there and explore the world!

  By Mark Zita Read More

• New in our buyer's guide: The iPhone 6s, Surface Book and much more

  Sorry we haven't updated the buyers's guide in a couple months -- we've been too busy pumping out reviews of all the new devices. Now that things have finally started to slow down (fingers crossed), let's take a step back and look at all the awesome stuff we've had a chance to test this fall. For starters, there's a bunch of excellent smartphones that we absolutely need to add to our guide. Namely: the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus, the Nexus 6P and 5X, and the Moto X Pure. On the tablet side, we're inducting both the iPad mini 4 and the Surface Pro 4. Microsoft makes another appearance in the laptop section, where we've added the Surface Book, along with Dell's Chromebook 13. Rounding out the list, we threw in a few miscellaneous items, including the new Xbox One Elite Wireless controller, the redesigned Sonos Play:5 wireless speaker and Google's $35 Chromecast Audio.

  By Dana Wollman Read More

• 9 naughty and nice gifts

  Winter is coming. And with it also comes the need to show the loved ones in your life just how much you care for them by spending, spending, spending on gifts. Trouble is, there are just so many options to choose from. What you really need is someone, some outside force to hold your credit card-holding hand. And boy, do we have some suggestions for you. Happy Holidays! You're very welcome.?Not everyone's looking to find the latest gaming console, set of chef knives or wholesome [insert foreign culture here] cookbook boxed up with a bow this holiday season. For those folks that like to unwrap their presents after dark, we've got more than a few salty suggestions to get you (and them) in the spirit.Image credit: Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images

  By Engadget Read More

• The best Thanksgiving kitchen tools and tableware

  This post was done in partnership with The Sweethome, a buyer's guide to the best things for your home. Read the full article here.Preparing a Thanksgiving feast can be a pretty hectic experience, but the right kitchen gear can make it a breeze. Instead of fretting over dinner, wouldn't you rather spend time with family and friends? At The Sweethome, we spend dozens of hours on each of our reviews to find the best gear for all parts of your life. Here are eight of our favorite kitchen-oriented recommendations to help you host like a pro and make the most of Thanksgiving.This guide may have been updated by The Sweethome. To see the current recommendation, please go here.

  By The Sweethome Read More

• App-roved: The Best Apps for Interiors Inspiration

  Our homes are precious. We want them to look their best and reflect our personality, but this isn't always easy. Whether you're trying to work fitted wardrobes into an existing bedroom design, or are planning to renovate your entire home, visualising the finished product can prove challenging. This is whymany homeowners are turning to technology: apps that can lend an inspirational helping hand.PinterestThe best known of these is Pinterest. Using the Pinterest App you can create a nifty mood board that's the perfect way to store your interiors inspiration. With the ability to create multiple 'Boards', you can plan everything from a whole renovation to a single room-redesign. From colour schemes and themes to appliances and furniture, Pinterest helps you envisage how everything fits together.It is also one of the easiest apps to use. Once you have signed up, simply browse the categories and, when you find an image you want to re-pin, click the 'Pin It' button in the top left of the picture. You can even add a Pinterest button to your browser, for when you come across something elsewhere on the net that you just have to have.HouzzThe Houzz App is the whole package, acting as both mood board and enabler. Similarly to Pinterest's 'Boards', you can curate 'Ideabooks' full of gorgeous interiors and must-have products. In addition, you can read informative articles, find a professional to help with your redesign and even purchase the homewares that steal your heart. On account of its ease of use and clean design, Houzz is an essential in any homeowner's app arsenal. ?This app is great for inspiration for all elements of your home, whether its your lounge, the kitchen, a bedroom, a wardrobe or a bathroom. Its also worth checking out the top 5 trends for 2016 to give you an idea about what's going to be hot next year.myPantoneEver spotted something in the shade of green that would work perfectly in your own home, only to search for a paint match in vain? Take a look at myPantone : a clever little app that could solve your colour woes. Simply snap a picture of your dream colour, open it in the app and myPantone will provide you with a selection of matches. You can even generate harmonious colour combinations to create a room palette.ColourSchemerIf you are struggling to visualise your dream colour scheme, ColourSchemer is an ideal source of inspiration. This interactive colour wheel can help you create a whole variety of schemes, from chic and minimal to bright and daring. Choose a colour and receive shortcuts to the most complementary schemes, drag and drop to experiment with colour combinations or simply browse the predefined options. ColourSchemer even incorporates colour blindness simulation – a feature that allows you to see what your colour schemes will look like to users with colour deficient vision.Has one of these apps caught your eye? Perhaps you've used one before? If you have a recommendation to share, please tell us below.

  By Edward Watkinson Read More

• 7 awesome gaming gifts

  Winter is coming. And with it also comes the need to show the loved ones in your life just how much you care for them by spending, spending, spending on gifts. Trouble is, there are just so many options to choose from. What you really need is someone, some outside force to hold your credit card-holding hand. And boy, do we have some suggestions for you. Happy Holidays! You're very welcome.Chances are you know someone you hold dear who just loves video games. Heck, that person might even make a living from playing them online for an audience. Whatever the case may be, there's no better way to treat the gaming enthusiast in your life this holiday season than with a fresh new console and some interactive art. Take a peek at our picks below.Image credit: SSPL via Getty Images

  By Engadget Read More

• The best wireless exercise headphones

  By Lauren Dragan This post was done in partnership with The Wirecutter, a buyer's guide to the best technology. Read the full article here. After considering a total of 145 sport-specific headphones and testing 82 of the best-reviewed options, our experts agreed that the JLab Epic Bluetooth is the best set of wireless exercise headphones for most people. The tough, lightweight Epic Bluetooth headphones fit in a wider variety of ears than the competition, offer better battery life than many other Bluetooth models we tested, and produce great sound for a lower price than that of most comparable cordless and water-resistant models. And because this set supports Bluetooth, it has no cord to get in the way of whatever you do to stay in shape.

  By Wirecutter Read More

• 7 gifts for a killer living room

  Winter is coming. And with it also comes the need to show the loved ones in your life just how much you care for them by spending, spending, spending on gifts. Trouble is, there are just so many options to choose from. What you really need is someone, some outside force to hold your credit card-holding hand. And boy, do we have some suggestions for you. Happy Holidays! You're very welcome.The advent of 4K has rendered the concept of HDTVs... 'quaint.' But now, cable's feeling that burn, too, from the likes of streaming dongles and services. Nowadays, to get that perfect home entertainment setup, you don't need anything more than an electrical outlet and a broadband connection to get your TV, movies and music wherever, whenever and however you like it. Because you're not just a couch potato anymore, you're a couch potato aficionado. See for yourself below.Image credit: Getty Images

  By Engadget Read More

• 11 gifts for audiophiles

  Winter is coming. And with it also comes the need to show the loved ones in your life just how much you care for them by spending, spending, spending on gifts. Trouble is, there are just so many options to choose from. What you really need is someone, some outside force to hold your credit card-holding hand. And boy, do we have some suggestions for you. Happy Holidays! You're very welcome."Music brings the people together," a grande dame once sang in her characteristic sprechstimme. But what of the audiophiles? What brings them together? High-class sonic kit and the bragging rights that come with it, that's what. Check out our choice selects below for the braggadocio you call bae.Image credit: Mondadori via Getty Images

  By Engadget Read More

• The Best New Notebook May Not Be a Notebook

  I am a tech performance geek. I can't stand waiting for PCs to boot, files to load, screens to redraw, and functions to finish.I'm also a tech industry analyst, which means I get invited to briefings by component companies like Intel, nVidia, AMD, and Qualcomm, as well as device makers like HP, Dell, and Lenovo, where they share their technology roadmaps, new device rollouts, and other future plans.It's a great combination, in a way, because I get to find out in advance what sort of performance improvements I can look forward to on next generation devices.One of the things that has often struck me, however, is that you don't always get the full benefits of the latest technology advances created by the component makers in the finished goods of the device makers.For many good reasons—but most typically related to cost—the deployments of a new technology are often done in a more limited way than what the technology could potentially enable. While the business analyst side of me understands why those decisions are made, the performance geek side of me is often disappointed.At a recent briefing by HP it hit me that there is a way to get full deployments of all the latest and greatest performance technologies in everything from CPUs, GPUs, memory, storage, connectivity and more. How, you ask? Buy a workstation.Now, clearly, workstations are not a mainstream option, and that isn't likely to change soon. But in the increasingly wide continuum of computing device buyers, there is clearly a subset of potential customers who want the best possible performance, in the same way there are car buyers who are willing to pay for performance-oriented cars. (Thankfully, performance-oriented computing devices don't come with six-figure price points.)Workstations are intentionally designed to offer the best possible performance, and it's in workstations that you will see the full implementations of all the latest and greatest technologies. Want the fastest possible CPUs and GPUs, like quad-core Intel Xeon for client, nVidia Quadro or AMD FirePro GPUs? Check. Looking for a full-range of ports, complete with multiple iterations of the latest ones (like Thunderbolt 3 and USB 3.1), as well as the ability to drive multiple 4K displays? Check. Looking not only for SSD storage, but a PCIe NVME-based controller that ensures zero latency from these speedy solid-state drives? Check. How about Mil-spec ruggedness certification to avoid accidental damage? Check.Of course, the trade-off for all these capabilities has typically been size and cost. Workstations have been beefy boxes—in fact, there's almost been a certain technical machismo about how big your workstation was—and while nobody seems to really know, the assumption has been that workstations sell at sky-high prices.The reality of today's workstations, however, is actually much different. At the aforementioned HP event, for example, the company debuted a new line of their Z-Book mobile workstations that come in at ultrabook-level thinness (the new Z-Book Studio is 18 mm thick and weighs 4.4 pounds) and price points starting at a reasonable $1,699. Of course, that's the base configuration, and as with performance cars, it's very easy to hit a significantly higher price point when you add in all the goodies you want. In the case of the Z-Book Studio, for example, a tricked out configuration could easily surpass $3K. But still, if you're a performance nut, that's not a terrible price point to pay.If you're more of a Dell or Lenovo person, those companies also sell mobile workstations with somewhat similar sizes and price points. (Some might argue Apple's MacBook Pro fits into the mobile workstation category, but that's a debate for another day.)To actually buy a workstation as a consumer, you'll have to work a bit harder than just walking into your local BestBuy, but you can actually go to the BestBuy for Business online site, or use a business-focused reseller like CDW. In addition, all the vendors enable you to configure and buy direct from their own respective web sites.For a lot of good reasons, I don't think we'll ever see workstations really go mainstream, but if you're a performance geek like me in the market for a new mobile computing device, it may not be a notebook you want, but a mobile workstation. Check 'em out.Bob O'Donnell is president and chief analyst of TECHnalysis Research, a technology consulting and market research firm that provides strategic consulting and market research services. You can follow him on Twitter @bobodtech.

  By Bob O'Donnell Read More

• 10 gifts for a smarter home

  Winter is coming. And with it also comes the need to show the loved ones in your life just how much you care for them by spending, spending, spending on gifts. Trouble is, there are just so many options to choose from. What you really need is someone, some outside force to hold your credit card-holding hand. And boy, do we have some suggestions for you. Happy Holidays! You're very welcome.Wanna be the 2015 techie version of Martha Stewart? Do you know someone who is? Then take a look at our selections below that should please the hip and happy homemaker you hold dear.Image credit: Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images

  By Engadget Read More

• Vizio's high-end 4K TVs are on sale at (some) Best Buy stores

  After more than a year of waiting Vizio finally opened up orders for two models from its "Reference Series" line, and now it's expanding the rollout. At Best Buy's Magnolia Design Center locations (they're a bit more limited than the regular Magnolia in-store units you're probably used to seeing, here's a list), well-heeled buyers can order up a $6,000 65-inch Ultra High Definition TV packing Dolby's HDR tech, or go big with the $130,000 120-inch model. Of course, at that price, some of you may want to window shop before making a purchase, and a rep told one AVS Forum poster that they may have in-store samples coming. This close to CES you may want to wait for what 2016's TVs have to offer, but Netflix has that ultra wide color tech, 384 LED lighting zones plus UHD apps from Netflix, Amazon and Vudu.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• Four Top Tips For Saving Money When Calling Tech Support

  As computers and technology become more important in every aspect of our lives, as does the need for help when they go wrong. Many businesses have great on-line help portals and FAQ sections but sometimes there is no substitute for picking up the phone and speaking to someone. For most people, calling a tech support number is not a pleasent experiecne. They are often expensive, with long waiting times and a phone tree that takes several minutes to navigate before you get to department you actually need. As such it can end up being quite a costly call. Depending on the phone number being used by the technical support team, you can be paying up to 50ppm for the call from a landline and even more from mobiles.Each of these tips will help you save money on your calls to tech support teams and reduce the amount of time you will need to spend on the call. These tips also apply when calling other premium rate phone numbers like booking lines, complaints lines etc.1. Avoid calling at peak timesLike most telephone based service, technical support numbers have busy periods and quieter times. By calling during quieter times, you are less likely to get stuck in a long que listening to annoying hold music. This will significantly reduce the total call duration and therefore the cost as well as meaning you are generally less frustrated. The off peak (quieter) times for each support number will be different, however in general the quietest times and therefore the best times to call are weekdays between 10am - 11.30am or 2pm - 4.30pm.2. Skip through the menu systemMost larger companies have a phone system with various menu options. You can often sit there for minutes (which feel like hours) pressing number buttons to get through to the right department. The most fruistrating situation is when you spend several minutes navigating the phone system menu to have a automated voice tell you that the department is currently closed. Most people are aware that if you know the various menu options in advance, you can quickly Press Ahead without haveing to wait to be told all the menu options. By pressing ahead, you can sometimes save at least a minute or two on each call. When calling premium rate tech support lines this can quickly add up in terms of both time and money.Before calling the technical support number its worth checking http://www.pleasepress1.com to see if they can provide the various menu options for you call so you can press ahead and skip through the phone menu system.3. Call cheaper alternative phone numbersMany technical support departments use 0844, 0845, 0870 or 0871 non-geographic numbers (NGNs). As well as providing a 'national service' they are often used as they generate revenue for the company. Most people are hesitant to call these numbers as the costs are often not well advertised and generally cost a lot more to call than a standard 01, 02 or 03 number. However sometimes it is possible to slash the cost of calling these NGN's to zero.For a lot of companies there is either a freephone number or a standrad geographic number (01, 02 or 03) that can be called to reach exactly the same destination. Companies don't like to advertise these as they want you to call the revenue generating NGNs but they do exist. Using websites like SayNoTo0870.com and http://smartcaller.org/ you can search their database to find the cheaper, or free to call version of the phone number.Since 1st July 2015 calls to 0800 and 0808 "freephone" numbers are now free from mobiles as well as landlines. So if you find a freephone number do not worry about calling them from your mobile, you will not be charged. There is a lot of confusion about the 03 number prefix. There is lots of information available about the various 03 prefixes (e.g. 0345 numbers) however if you have "free minutes" as part of your phone package, then calls to all 03 numbers must (by law) be included within these and you wont pay a penny for the call (unless you run out of inclusive minutes). This applies to both landlines and mobiles.4. Make sure you have all the information readyEveryone has been in the situation where you spend ages in a que, only to be asked "do you have the serial number handy" and you then have to go scrabbling around to find it. Before you make the call, ensure that you have all the details and information you might need in front of you. This includes serial numbers, product make & model, software version number, warranty number etc.Having this information to hand will prevent you either leaving the support assistant waiting on the phone or even having to call back once you have the details which will not only cost you time but also money.By following these four simple steps and using a little common sense, you will be amazed at how much money you can save. You also wouldn't believe how less stressful the call will be when you know your not paying up to 50p per minute for the privilege of speaking to a support assistant.

  By Edward Watkinson Read More

• Engadget presents the Best of CES 2016: Here's what you need to know

  It's November. For some, that means planning for Thanksgiving, while others might already be in the midst of holiday shopping. For us here at Engadget, November is when CES organizing kicks into high gear. Not only because CES is the country's largest get-together of tech, but also because for the third year in the row, Engadget has been bestowed the honor of running and hosting the official Best of CES awards. Just as in years past, our team of intrepid editors will search out the cream of the crop, nominate our finalists and pick the winners of the show. Oh and you too will have your voice heard in the People's Choice award. Want to know more? Well, head on over to our newly launched awards hub or read on further for a list of our award categories. And if you happen to be a company who wants to submit your product for such high honors, we've got instructions for that too.

  By Nicole Lee Read More

Computing (17)

• The biggest data center in Russia will be nuclear powered

  According to the news agency Telecom Daily, the Rosenergoatom power company is building what will be the largest data center in Russia -- and they're plopping it right on top of the Kalinin power station. Located about 120 miles northwest of Moscow, the station will provide the 80 MW that engineers estimate will be needed to power the data center's 10,000 or so server racks. The construction is projected to cost $975 million, not including the IT buildout.

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• Raspberry Pi's latest computer costs just $5

  Over the years, the Raspberry Pi Foundation has enabled universities and hobbyists to create their own DIY computing projects with its affordable boards. But that doesn't mean it's stopping there. Today, the company unveiled its latest programmable computing board, the Raspberry Pi Zero, and it costs just $5 (£4). With its Broadcom BCM2835 application processor (1GHz ARM11 core), 512MB of RAM, a microSD card slot, a mini-HDMI socket supporting 1080p (at 60 frames per second), micro-USB sockets and an identical pin layout to its larger Pi siblings, the Zero can do plenty of heavy lifting, despite its tiny size. For context: at 65mm x 30mm, it's smaller than a credit card and has 40-percent faster chip than the first ever Pi.

  By Matt Brian Read More

• This Raspberry Pi handheld wants to be every gadget in the world

  Chances are, you've already got a versatile computer in your pocket -- smartphones play music, record video, play games and more -- but what if it was smaller, open source and completely hackable? Then you'd have something like the Poco "supercomputer," a portable media device with the footprint of a credit card and the heart of a Raspberry Pi.

  By Sean Buckley Read More

• Nexa3D needs your cash to make its 'ultrafast' 3D printer

  Not long ago, we saw a new kind of super-fast 3D printer that works by "growing" objects from resin, rather than laboriously depositing the print material in layers. Another company called Nexa3D has launched a product on Kickstarter that's similarly quick, claiming that you'll be able to print objects at a speed of around 1-inch every 3 minutes. That's around 25-100 times faster than a regular 3D printer, and objects can be made to around 120 microns of detail, fairly close to the resolution of a Makerbot Replicator 2. Like the Carbon 3D printer we saw earlier, this new system works by using light to harden a photo-curing resin that is gradually extruded from a tank.

  By Steve Dent Read More

• 5Gbps broadband is coming to Britain, for £399 per month

  Words like "superfast" and "ultrafast" are thrown around all the time to describe UK home broadband. Of course, what we really want to know are the cold, hard numbers. Download and upload speeds, man. That's why Gigaclear has us champing at the bit with its latest announcement -- it's trialling 5Gbps broadband, right now, with a small group of customers in Oxfordshire. If you've never heard of Gigaclear before, we don't blame you. The company was founded in 2010 and only operates in 36 rural communities, spread across five English counties. You can check your postcode here, but the chances of you falling under its custom fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) network are slim. And even if you own one of the 10,000 homes with Gigaclear access, you'll have to pay some serious cash for the faster speeds. The company will be charging £399 per month for homeowners and £1,500 for businesses when the trial expands to all Gigaclear customers next year. Got a Scrooge McDuck pile of cash in your basement? Otherwise, this is all just a pipe dream.

  By Nick Summers Read More

• FCC: Yes, you're allowed to hack your WiFi router

  A few months ago, the FCC proposed regulations that theoretically banned the use of open source firmware on your WiFi router. Needless to say, that rubbed a lot of enthusiasts the wrong way -- how were you supposed to improve features or security on your own terms, especially on routers that were designed to be hacked? Well, you needn't fear any longer. On top of reassurances from October, the FCC has modified its proposal to allow open source firmware like DD-WRT or Tomato. The agency will only forbid tweaks that take a router "out of compliance," such as an overly strong signal. In short, you can flash your WiFi hotspot in the future without worrying that the feds will come knocking.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Mainframe computing pioneer Gene Amdahl dies at 92

  Gene Amdahl, a pioneer of mainframe computing, died from pneumonia this week at age 92. Dr. Amdahl is known for is work with IBM, more specifically on the IBM 704, IBM 709 and other projects. He was also the chief architect on the System/360 series, a line of mainframe computers that would become the most successful in IBM's history. In fact, it's inner workings would influence computer design in the years that followed. After two stints with IBM, Dr. Amdahl set up the Amdahl Corporation that would directly compete with his former employer in the mainframe market. His machines were less expensive and faster that those of IBM while still being compatible with the company's mainframe software. He also formulated Amdahl's law which is used to predict the theoretical maximum speed improvement across multiple processors in parallel computing. Dr. Amdahl is survived by his wife, two daughters, five grandchildren and a brother. [Image credit: Marcin Wichary/Flickr]

  By Billy Steele Read More

• Razer's Android TV box quietly leaves Google's store

  You may have thought that Razer's Forge TV was hot stuff back at CES, but it's not clear that the buying public felt the same way. Google has quietly stopped selling the Android TV set-top on its official store -- swing by its product page and you'll find that it's "no longer available for purchase." It's not certain that Razer has discontinued the media hub altogether, but things don't look good when its own store only lets you sign-up for in-stock alerts. We've reached out to Razer to get the full scoop on this disappearance.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• ARM's latest design brings 64-bit processors to smartwatches

  It's no longer hard to find 64-bit processors in smartphones. In smartwatches, though, they're still a rarity -- and ARM wants to change that with its new Cortex-A35 processor design. The architecture promises the most energy-efficient 64-bit mobile chips yet, sipping 32 percent less power than the mid-range A53 even as it outruns the Cortex-A7 it's meant to replace (6 to 40 percent faster). It's extremely scalable, too. You can build full-fledged quad-core chips for entry-level smartphones, but you can also strip things back to make tiny chips for watches and activity trackers.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• How Qualcomm's Snapdragon 820 will improve next year's gadgets

  Qualcomm officially unveiled its latest mobile chip, the Snapdragon 820, at a media event in New York City this morning. But, given that the company has been divulging details about the 820 for the past few months, you wouldn't be blamed for thinking that it was announced long ago. We already know that the Snapdragon 820's Adreno 530 GPU is around 40 percent faster than the 810's graphics (making it ideal for VR); it will deliver LTE speeds of up to 600 Mbps and support 802.11ad WiFi; it's significantly more power-efficient; and it'll use machine learning to fight malware right on your device. So what's left to announce? Not much, it turns out. But Qualcomm did give us a look at how the 820's new features could be applied to devices in 2016.

  By Devindra Hardawar Read More

• Understanding Why Your Broadband Is Slow

  The UK Government have recently announced a Universal Service Obligation (USO) which will give people and businesses a legal right to request a 10Mbps broadband connection by 2020, no matter where they live. The USO has specifically cited a broadband speed of 10 Mbps as this is the miniumum speed that a typical business or home will require in 2020, according to Ofcom. Whilst this is a long way off, the news has sparked fresh debates about current broadband speeds with many people saying that they don't get the speed they are paying for. There are a number of factors that can impact your broadband speed, this short guide will hopefully help you find out if you have slow broadband and what to do about it. Do You Have Slow Broadband? Before you go on to see why your broadband is so slow you should test the speed of your connection. This is easy to do as there are many broadband speed checkers and testing programmes online. You can find them through the search engines or on many comparison sites and troubleshooting sites. Once you have tested your connection you can see if you are in line with the UK average or if you are not getting anywhere close to the speeds you should. What Time of Day Is It Something that most broadband users do not take into account is the time of day when they are connecting. Like most things in life there are peak times in the broadband industry. During these peak times your normally fast connection will slow down. This is basically due to the demand on the network. The most common peak times are over the weekend when most people are at home and have the ability and time to go online. The reason why peak times cause slower speeds is because all broadband infrastructure is shared between a number of people. If all the people decide to use the connection at one time it is like everyone using a single lane on the road. The line becomes congested and everyone's speeds will slow down. There is not much you can do about these slow speeds. Providers have tried to make it easier for their clients during these peak times by offering shaped broadband packages. With these shaped packages most ADSL users should not have too much trouble with slow peak times. However, people using mobile broadband will have serious issue at peak times. The reason why mobile broadband is different has to do with the number of mobile devices trying to connect to the network. A lot of people in the UK have two mobile devices that connect to mobile broadband. If all of these devices try to use the network at the same time the demand will be too great for the network infrastructure. In these cases even your provider will have a hard time doing anything to help the situation. Where Do You Live or Where Are Your Offices? There are certain connection types that are affected by where you are located. The two connection types that are affected by this are ADSL and mobile broadband connections. ADSL works off the phone lines and the speed of your connection will vary depending on your phone line infrastructure. The main factor in slow ADSL connection speeds in relation to location is where your local exchange is. If you are close to the exchange your speeds should be quite good. However, the further from the exchange you get the slower your connection will be. This is something that does not affect too many people in the cities as there are more exchanges in urban areas. If you live in the country or on the outskirts of the town then you may have some problems. The reason for this is that it is not cost effective for providers to run a big phone line network in the country for a handful of people. When it comes to mobile broadband around 90% of the country can get mobile signal. However, this means that 10% of the country is out of coverage range. If you are in the 10% you will not be able to get mobile broadband. Of course even if you are in the coverage zone the broadband you get could be rather slow. Mobile broadband is transmitted to you via the mobile phone towers. If you are very far from the tower the signal strength will be weaker. If there are a number of buildings between you and the tower the signal strength will also be weaker. It is possible that large electrical fields like those around pile-ons can affect the signal being sent to you as well. The type of mobile connection you are getting will also be affected by your location. 3G connections are available to everyone in coverage zones because this is the standard for mobile broadband. If you have decided to get a 4G connection you will be more limited. The 4G network offers greater speeds overall but the connection is limited to cities at the moment. This is bound to change over time. Are there Any Alternatives? Out of all the broadband connections used the ones affected the most by location and times are ADSL and mobile broadband. The question you may be asking yourself is whether there are any alternatives you can use. Fibre optic broadband connections are less likely to be affected by these two factors. For people in rural areas who are severely affected by their location it is possible to get satellite broadband. Fibre optic broadband is the most commonly used alternative. The infrastructure for this connection has been rolled out to 60% of the country and there are plans to continue laying down the network. Cable broadband offers greater speeds than ADSL and mobile broadband so even if you do have a dip in speeds you are still faster than most. Satellite broadband is not the best option for anyone and is seen as more of a last resort. This broadband costs much more than others and requires special hardware to be installed. Of course this signal does not have any black-spots which is good for people who cannot get other broadband. However, it is not only expensive but the speeds offered do not measure up to the other alternatives.

  By Edward Watkinson Read More

• UK wants all residents to have access to broadband by 2020

  The UK certainly has fast broadband access in some places, but ubiquitous access? Not so much. However, that might change if the British government has its way. It's developing a Universal Service Obligation that, by 2020, would give all residents the right to request at least a 10Mbps internet connection -- providers would have to connect you, even if you live in a remote village. Consultations for the plan won't even start until early 2016, but the hope is to eventually make broadband a basic utility like electricity or water.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Lawsuit claims AMD lied about the number of cores in its chips

  Processor makers regularly exaggerate the performance of their chips (remember Intel's obsession with clock speed?), but AMD is learning that there are limits around what you can claim. It's facing a class action lawsuit accusing the company of misleading buyers about the number of cores in its Bulldozer-based CPUs. It would advertise that a given processor had eight cores, for example, when it effectively had four -- each core in AMD-speak was really half of a module, and couldn't operate independently. As such, that Bulldozer part couldn't handle as many simultaneous instructions as you'd expect in a true eight-core design. That was bound to be a disappointment if you were a performance junkie expecting eight-way computing in your gaming PC or server.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Porting Ethereum - Tizen cross-builds. Update by Anthony Cros, 5th November 2015

  We are still working on 2 fronts in parallel, the webthree (C++) implementation (formerly known as cpp-ethereum) and the go-ethereum (Golang) one. go-ethereum (Golang) Block synchronization problem Not much progress on that front beside confirming an issue that seems to occur with ARM builds regarding block synchronization (see previous post). It seems other people have reported the same issue and hopefully the devs will figure it out soon. LES sub-protocol (light client) We are also waiting for the LES sub-protocol to be finished, which according to the latest update (see "Light client/mobile" section) is making good progress. web-three (C++) Cross-compilation A lot of work has been put into cross-compiling the C++ implementation, and after a lot of sweat I finally produced a binary to test out! Unfortunately it results in a good o' segfault for the moment. I have informed the devs of it and am waiting for their feedback. It may be an issue with the CryptoPP library, which is actually due for removal (see Gavin's comment on the matter). Code We are making the process of producing this binary open for anyone to try out (see our Github repo). There exists a Dockerfile that can be used as basis, although it is not finalized yet. Still, a basic Ubuntu 14.04 image to which the packages listed in the Dockerfile are added should provide the right environment to run the scripts above. Documentation I have also spent some time on improving upon the devs' representation of the various dependencies involved in building eth. I started from the original DOT file: and added information I gathered from compiling from source myself as well as various comments from the devs: which results in It is still a work-in-progress but we will hopefully have a good overview of all these dependencies soon. Stay tuned for more progress!

  By Bob Summerwill Read More

• One of the world's first personal computers is up for sale

  Many people don't know the history of the Kenbak-1 Digital Computer, but it's considered to be the world's first commercially available personal computer -- and one is going up for sale in just a few minutes. John Blankenbaker introduced the $750 machine in 1971 -- years ahead of the more well known Altair 8800 and Apple I, but after the Datapoint 2200 -- hoping to sell it to schools as a way to introduce people to computer programming. It didn't have a microprocessor at all, and contained only 256 bytes (you read that correctly) of RAM. No more than 50 units were ever made, although a few have been popping up for sale in the last few years. One recently sold for about $31k, and another model is going on sale via German auctioneer Breker within the hour. It's certainly a piece of history, but if that's a little too rich for your blood, then hide your credit card details and just read our Time Machines article to catch up on the history of this groundbreaking device.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• PC makers' tech support asks customers to avoid Windows 10

  You may have upgraded to Windows 10 as soon as humanly possible, but don't tell that to your PC manufacturer. As part of its tech support research, Laptop has learned that at least Dell and HP are discouraging customers from updating to Windows 10, or even recommending that people roll back to older versions. When asked, both companies defend the practice. They're committed to Windows 10, but their ultimate goal on a support line is to fix your PC... even if that means reverting to old software.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Luma's 'surround WiFi' kills dead spots with multiple routers

  Google appears to have started a trend with its easy-to-use but pricey OnHub WiFi router. A startup company has Luma created a router with the similar goal of giving you easy-to-use wireless security, monitoring and device connections. It adds a new twist by letting you use several throughout your home in order to increase coverage to, say a corner office, similar to how Sonos WiFi speaker system works. The company calls it "surround WiFi," and each added device requires no additional setup -- the system updates and tunes the signals automatically in order to "always offer peak performance and speed," according to the company.

  By Steve Dent Read More

Cybersecurity (62)

• VTech's data breach affected five million customers

  Kiddie toymaker VTech tried to downplay the extent of last week's data breach, which affected its "Learning Lodge" app store, but now it's revealed that five million customer accounts were compromised. Vtech says it's alerted Learning Lodge customers of the hack, and if you've got one of its devices, you should change your password (and password retrieval info) immediately. While the attack didn't reveal credit card data or sensitive personal information (like Social Security numbers or driver license IDs), it gave hackers access to customer's names, addresses, encrypted passwords and even birthdays and genders for kids. VTech says it's still investigating the situation, and it'll look into ways to strengthen its security. Breaches like this aren't unusual (it's thought to be the result of a relatively easy SQL injection attack), but it's notable since it involves products aimed at kids, which normally don't get much attention when it comes to data security.

  By Devindra Hardawar Read More

• BlackBerry is leaving Pakistan over demands for backdoor access

  BlackBerry has announced it's formally shutting down shop in Pakistan over demands from the country's Telecommunications Authority that backdoor access be granted to the company's encrypted services. Back in July, local carriers were ordered to shut off BlackBerry Enterprise Service from the end of November, because "security reasons." While the order has been pushed back to the end of the year, Pakistan's government isn't budging, leaving BlackBerry no other option but to abandon the country. As the company explains, "remaining in Pakistan would have meant forfeiting our commitment to protect our users' privacy. That is a compromise we are not willing to make."

  By Jamie Rigg Read More

• The NSA's mass US phone surveillance ends tonight

  The National Security Agency's long-running mass phone surveillance program is coming to an end. As promised, the USA Freedom Act will forbid the NSA from indiscriminately collecting Americans' call metadata at midnight on November 29th. Agents will have to get court orders to collect data from telecoms regarding specific people or groups, and then only for six months at a time -- they can't just scoop up everything in case something useful turns up. The NSA will still have access to five years' worth of legacy data through February 29th, but that's as far as its access will go.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Toymaker VTech says data was stolen from its kiddie app store

  VTech, the brand best known for its electronic kid's toys and cordless phones, said Friday that hackers had earlier this month stolen some of its customer data. While VTech is hardly the first company to see its user info compromised, the target here was relatively unusual: an app store for children. Learning Lodge, as it's called, is a storefront where kids and their parents can download apps, games, e-books and various educational materials. While it's a bit disturbing to imagine a breach that even tangentially involves children, the company says that no "personal identification data" (social security numbers, et cetera) was compromised. VTech says no credit card information was exposed either.

  By Dana Wollman Read More

• This crowdfunded router updates its own security

  It's really, really, really hard to make a router sound exciting, but the folks behind the Turris Omnia are betting the device's focus on keeping your sensitive data secure might grab you. The manufacturer's IndieGogo campaign still has 45 days to go, but it's already proved incredibly popular: over a thousand backers have pledged some $274,598 as of this writing. That's 275 percent higher than the threshold for funding the project. The router itself runs Turris' open source operating system (based on the OpenWRT project) which auto updates as soon as any type of vulnerability is discovered by its cadre of developers.

  By Timothy J. Seppala Read More

• Watch this Czech pirate's YouTube video or he'll get a huge fine

  The Czech Republic's first convicted software pirate has been offered an unexpected way of escaping punishment: log 200,000 video views on YouTube and Facebook or be handed a huge fine. The man in question, who is 30 years old and known only as Jakub F, was originally handed a three-year suspended sentence and asked to forfeit his PC, hard drives and DVD backups after being found guilty of sharing illegal copies of Windows and other copyrighted software on forums over the past eight years.

  By Matt Brian Read More

• TalkTalk hack: Police make fifth arrest on blackmail charges

  Now that we know the full extent of the TalkTalk hack, the whole affair has started to quieten down. Police are still pursuing the people responsible though and now, we've been told that a fifth suspect has been arrested. Officers used a search warrant on a property in Llanelli, Wales, before apprehending an 18-year-old boy on suspicion of blackmail. Unlike the other four suspects that have been arrested -- a 15-year-old from Northern Ireland, a 16-year-old from Feltham in London, a 16-year-old from Norwich and a 20-year-old man from south Staffordshire -- he hasn't been released on bail, at least not yet. At this time, he also isn't suspected of any Computer Misuse Act offences.

  By Nick Summers Read More

• Officials link hacker to theft of 1.2 billion log-in credentials

  The FBI is linking a hacker only known by the moniker "mr. grey" to a whopping 1.2 billion stolen internet credentials after finding his Russian email address in the evidence it gathered. It's unclear if he obtained all those by himself, though, or if he's even just a single person or a group of people operating under one name. Either way, if there were a contest for hackers, mr. grey would've won it by now, as this is apparently the biggest collection of stolen log-in details the FBI has investigated thus far. Reuters says that info came from the court documents the feds submitted to support its search warrant request in 2014. The authorities got their tip from cybersecurity firm Hold Security, which found out that a Russian hacking group called CyberVor has stolen 1.2 billion log-in details and over 500 million email addresses.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• DARPA wants to protect critical infrastructures from cyber attacks

  Hackers have been breaking through a lot of government agency's defenses these past years, and DARPA thinks it's high time to do something about it. Pentagon's mad science division has launched a new program called Rapid Attack Detection, Isolation and Characterization (RADICS), which aims to develop innovative technologies that can quickly detect and respond to cyber attacks. Not just any cyber attacks, though: RADICS was specifically created to deflect security threats on critical infrastructures in the US, especially those that are vital to the Department of Defense's missions. The agency likely wants to make sure the government can quickly detect and fight off terrorists and/or hackers trying to switch off the country's electricity or transportation systems.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• FCC hires a privacy guru to help lead its telecom investigations

  If you want proof that the Federal Communications Commission is getting serious about privacy, you only need to look at its latest recruit. The agency has hired Jonathan Mayer, one of the masterminds behind Do Not Track browsing, as the chief technologist for its Enforcement Bureau. He'll help lead investigations into any shady behavior from telecoms and TV providers, particularly if they run afoul of your privacy or security.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Hilton confirms malware accessed payment info at its hotels

  If you've stayed at one of Hilton's hotels in the past year, you might want to check your credit card history. The chain has confirmed a report that malware compromised its payment systems, putting your data at risk. The intruders got in between November 18th and December 5th in 2014, and between April 21st and July 27th this year. The malware didn't expose home addresses or PIN codes, but it did get access to card numbers, security codes and names -- enough that hackers could potentially make purchases.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Security system watches over your home without cameras

  You don't have many great choices for home security systems right now. Conventional systems are expensive and effectively fixed in place, while connected cameras are conspicuous and carry the risk (however small) that someone might spy on you. Xandem thinks it has a better way, however. It's crowdfunding a security system that uses motion-detecting wireless mesh networking (previously the stuff of research) to alert you to intruders. It only requires plug-in nodes to work, and the resulting radio frequency web can both travel through objects and follow subjects. If all goes well, you're getting more complete coverage that stays hidden and reduces the chance of a false positive -- you can even track motion in apps or the web to see if it's a burglar or just a family member who got home early.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Dell is the latest PC maker with a gaping security flaw, but it will fix it

  Lenovo and Samsung might not be the only big Windows PC makers pre-installing software that compromises your security. Computer buyers have discovered that Dell is shipping at least some PCs (such as the new XPS 15) with a self-signed security certificate that's the same on every system. If intruders get a raw copy of the certificate's private key, which isn't hard, they have an easy way to attack every PC shipping with this code. The kicker? This is much like Lenovo's Superfish exploit, only written by the hardware vendor itself -- Dell had plenty of time to learn from its rival's mistake.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• The History of Disaster Recovery

  Disaster recovery actually came into play in the late 1970s when computer center managers finally began to recognize that their organizations were extremely dependent upon the use of their computer systems. Mortgage Orb has a detailed article that walks through the entire evolution of both disaster recovery and business continuity. Before organizations began to move to mainframe computer systems, organizations relied heavily on paper – based operations. Because they relied mostly on paper – based operations and filing techniques, there wasn't a huge concern toward technology infrastructure outings.However, the computer age is now upon us. As it came closer, the need to have a clear cut plan in the face of technological failure became a necessity for the organization. Over time more and more business began to host their operations on mainframe systems; moving away from the safety of paper – based systems. Computers aren't without their advantages, however, and the offer of increased productivity, organization, and being able to instantly find critical data was essential to keeping up with the times and growing the organization. Moving to the technological instead of paper, however, also opened the door for more potential disasters to take effect.Employees began to express their concerns that if the mainframe system were to go down for a day or two, they would be unable to access the files and applications now essential to conducting everyday business. The first hot site was developed by SunGard Information Systems in 1978 for an organization located in Philadelphia.During the late 1980s and early 1990s, both customer awareness and the industry itself began to grow rapidly due to the advent of open systems and real-time processing. Open systems and real-time processing increased the amount an organization depends on their IT systems. Regulations that mandated both business continuity and disaster recovery planning in multiple sectors of the economy not only increased the demand but led to the availability of commercial disaster recovery services, like the ones offered by Virtacore.Since the 1990s, there has been a rapid growth in the internet. This rapid growth lead to organizations of all sizes becoming further dependent on the continuous availability of their IT systems. Some organizations even set objectives at 2,3,4, or 5 nines (99.99%) of the availability of their critical systems in the event of a disaster. The increasing dependence on IT systems combined with the increase in awareness from large-scale disasters (volcanic eruption, tsunami, floods, tornadoes, etc.) lead to disaster recovery related products and services. These products and services range from hot site locations to high-availability solutions. Hot site locations are a facility that is equipped with the necessary infrastructure to operate an organization if the current site is unavailable. The improvement of networking meant that critical IT services could be served remotely, and lead to the decrease in importance to on-site recovery options.

  By Rick Troutman Read More

• After Math: That's it, we're calling security

  It's been a heck of a week. With the world still reeling from the Paris attacks, more people than ever are concerned with their personal security. That's why we're featuring five of this week's best posts about stuff that keeps us safe -- and one about a certain CEO that probably could use some more of it after what he said. Remember, there's safety in numbers.

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• Many of your Android apps send unnecessary hidden data

  It won't shock you to hear that Android apps send a lot of data, but you may be surprised at how much of it isn't really necessary... or public, for that matter. MIT researchers have determined that "much" of the hidden data sent and received by the 500 most popular Android apps isn't necessary to the functionality. For example, a Walmart app talks to eBay whenever you scan a barcode -- there's no practical difference when you sever that connection. Out of the 47 apps that MIT modified to prove its case, 30 were virtually indistinguishable from the official versions. The rest only had minor issues, like missing ads.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Check your credit card transactions: 54 Starwood hotels hit by malware

  Third-party forensic experts have discovered that the point-of-sale systems in 54 Starwood hotels across the US and Canada were infected with malware. The company has listed all the locations in its PSA, including various Sheraton, Westin and W properties. That list also notes the possible dates (ranging from November 2014 to October 2015) when each location could have been compromised, and they were all before the hotel chain announced its acquisition by Marriott. Just like what happened to Hilton earlier this year, you might have only been affected if you used your credit cards in one of the 54 hotels' restaurants or gifts shops. Starwood America president Sergio Rivera says there's no evidence that its guest reservation and membership systems also had a security flaw.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Here's how ISIS tries to keep its online activity a secret (update: debunked)

  It's no longer surprising that ISIS uses Telegram's secure messaging to conduct its terror campaigns, but what other tools does it use to keep its online actions under wraps? Thanks to researchers at the West Point military academy, we now have a good idea. They've obtained an ISIS operational security guide that shows the outfit's recommended internet services and software, as well as the policies they're supposed to follow. The extremists are advised to use Tor's anonymity network for browsing, Tails as their operating system and messaging services like Telegram, FireChat or iMessage. They're asked to rely on secure phones like the BlackPhone if they can. They're supposed to avoid both anything that gives away their location (for obvious reasons) as well as Dropbox, whose company-managed encryption theoretically lets governments demand access to cloud storage.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Hillary Clinton calls for cooperation on encryption

  The debate over smartphone, app and data encryption rages on in the US. With the recent events in Paris only fueling the fire for those arguing for backdoor access, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton spoke up on the need for cooperation this week. "We need Silicon Valley not to view government as its adversary," Clinton explained in a speech at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York. "We need our best minds in the private sector to work with our best minds in the public sector to develop solutions that will both keep us safe and protect our privacy." While the debate has gone back and forth for sometime now, reports that the Paris attackers used encrypted messaging services to coordinate last week's events resounded the call for legislation that demands access for law enforcement.

  By Billy Steele Read More

• NSA spied on your email even after program was shut down

  The New York Times is reporting that the NSA developed a way to spy on our emails even after the program allowing it to do so was shut down. Until December 2011, the agency was entitled to bulk-collect emails at will because it was subject to oversight from the intelligence court. That meant that the data had to be used according to the regulations laid down by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. The NSA, however, had a second, more secretive program, based overseas, that did a similar job, but was under no such legal restriction. As such, when its powers were curtailed, it simply went back to doing what it always did, but in a foreign country.

  By Daniel Cooper Read More

• USA Today: California wrongly wiretapped 52,000 people

  USA Today is claiming to have uncovered evidence that prosecutors in the state of California violated federal law by improperly authorizing the use of wiretaps. The paper believes that drug investigators used 738 questionable taps to intercept calls and text messages made by "more than 52,000 people." If all of this is true, then the news will raise plenty of questions brought between mid-2013 and early 2015.

  By Daniel Cooper Read More

• Let's have an argument about encryption

  Government officials have been vexed for quite some time now that they can't surveil communications that use end-to-end encryption. Never mind that to crack encrypted platforms open for one spy would mean to open them up for all spies. Just being able to roll WhatsApp, Telegram and iMessage into the Pentagon's bulk surveillance programs is good enough for them, thanks. Worrying about what that might mean to the intelligence gathering capabilities of their adversaries is apparently "not in their department."After the devastating attacks in Paris last Friday, U.S. officials wasted no time in using fear to insist that messaging apps using end-to-end encryption be "backdoored" for surveillance access, and rolled into the Pentagon's bulk surveillance programs.The internet, rather than treating the officials like children who want to smash the family piggy bank to collect copper pennies, has decided to argue with them.

  By Violet Blue Read More

• The Dojo gateway secures your smart TV and other home devices

  Two things are true about the Internet of things: it's a fragmented mess and it's a target for hackers. The Foscam baby monitor hack reminded everyone that anything that's on a network needs to be secure and that includes your connected cameras, lights and fire alarms. Dojo Labs saw the security mess that's happening in our homes and decided instead of addressing the devices individually, it would keep tabs on the entire network and the traffic going in and out of it. The Dojo smart gateway tracks devices trying to connect to hardware inside your network and when one of those smart items, like an over-sharing television, is sending information outside the network. It does this in way that makes security easy for anyone to understand and manage with an app.

  By Roberto Baldwin Read More

• Carnegie Mellon says it didn't help the FBI hack Tor for money

  The Tor network volunteers recently accused Carnegie Mellon University of helping feds uncover the identities of some shady website operators and users, including drug distributors and child pornographers, in exchange for $1 million. In a statement released today, however, the university doesn't only deny getting money from the FBI, but also heavily implies that it was served with a subpoena that requested the details of its Tor research. "The university abides by the rule of law," it said, "complies with lawfully issued subpoenas and receives no funding for its compliance."

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Managed Services and Safeguarding Financial Data

  It's widely known that cyber-criminals see financial services firms as prime targets in cyber space simply because, as Willie Sutton put it, "that's where the money is." In 2010, a private investment firm called MF Global lost billions of investor dollars overnight in a mishap that led to a congressional investigation and left everyone wondering where the money went and what happened. Data breaches like this can be disastrous to organizations, personal fortunes, and the privacy of clients' personal information. Safeguarding financial data is not an easy task under any circumstance. So, the big question is: how does an organization ensure its data isn't inadvertently or maliciously passed from one organization to another or simply vanish, without burdening the IT department? To get to the solution, we must first understand the history. The financial failures resulting from the Great Depression created a tough time for financial institutions and in 1933, Congress passed the Glass-Steagall Act barring banks from conglomerating with other financial institutions so one company couldn't act as a combination of an insurance company, investment bank and commercial bank. But more than a half a century later, as the Internet led digital rush of the 90s pushed firms and organizations to transition their records into digital formats, the U.S. Government passed the Financial Services Modernization Act of 1999, more commonly referred to as the Gramm Leach Bliley Act (GLBA), lifting some of the restrictions set in 1933, to let financial firms team up with compliant organizations to offer a wider range of financial services under one corporate umbrella while ensuring the safe transmission of customer data across offerings. GLBA conveniently breaks down responsibility for data integrity and security into three general definitions. The Financial Privacy Rule and the Pretexting Protection provisions require policies for employee handling of customer data, focused on protecting and preventing access not authorized by the customer. The Safeguards Rule requires that risk assessments be performed on the technology that collects, stores and processes customer information and that these safeguards be updated and maintained in an effective state. These provisions map implementation to current best practices that are designed to remain effective even as threats continue to evolve over time. While important, these obligations for digital and Internet infrastructure quickly become daunting for organizations of any size, not to mention those needing to coordinate work flow, data processing and customer interactions. Many on premise IT departments have found themselves challenged to keep up with the demands of new security trials. To solve this, many have decided to move some portion of their IT burden to cloud-hosting experts that offer this type of compliance. By leveraging managed services that offer GLBA compliance, IT departments in financial services firms can pass the GLBA burden onto managed services experts. These compliant services provide those protections for cloud-hosting support and relieve a firm's IT department from having to divert resources for hiring and/or training personnel to assume a burden they may never be able to keep up with. It's important for financial firms to confidently find their footing in this seemingly ever new and challenging digital realm. By partnering with GLBA compliant managed services companies, they not only ensure protection and privacy for customers, but also implement a more economical option for their company. It's a win-win.

  By Chris Nguyen Read More

• It's time to secure your Amazon account with two-factor authentication

  Relying solely on passwords to secure important accounts may be outdated, but until they're gone for good your best alternative is locking things down with two-factor authentication: Amazon. Considering you probably already have a credit card or other payment info stored there, it just makes sense to add an extra layer of security that makes sure it's really you logging in. The only problem? Until recently Amazon didn't have any option to support the feature, but now it does. I noticed the new option while updating my password last night (also a good security idea), and it was only enabled for the general public very recently.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• AVG is crowdfunding a router, but wait for its privacy policy

  Antivirus company AVG is taking to Indiegogo to crowdfund a router called Chime that it believes will fix your home's WiFi issues. Solitarily, a Chime is a fairly simple 802.11ac dual-band router. Used together, multiple Chimes can instantly band together and blanket your house in a strong signal by utilizing the same Mesh WiFi systems you'll find in office buildings, malls and airports. It's not the first company to offer Mesh WiFi to consumers -- San Francisco startup Eero's boxes ostensibly do exactly the same thing -- but AVG believes the additional security features offered by Chime will be enough to persuade users to jump aboard.

  By Aaron Souppouris Read More

• UK to create cybersecurity forces to fight off ISIS hackers

  The UK is boosting its cybersecurity efforts after government officials learned that ISIS is planning to launch cyber attacks on various infrastructures, such as hospitals, banks and air traffic control systems. According to Reuters, the nation plans to build "elite cyber offensive forces" to fight off hackers, and it's pouring a lot of money into the project to make it happen. Chancellor George Osborne has revealed that the UK is doubling its public spending on cybersecurity to £1.9 billion ($2.9 billion) per year until 2020. But that's not all: the British government is building its own DARPA for cybersecurity, as well. It will take £165 million ($250 million) from the total funding to invest in projects and startups with innovative ideas. As Forbes notes, teaming up with and funding private companies is exactly how DARPA works, except the American agency also funds robotics and other types of military technologies.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• ISIS' online presence reportedly includes a 24-hour 'help desk'

  The terrorist group known as ISIS has ramped up its online outreach efforts in a big way over the past year, including establishing a 24-hour help desk that teaches members how to use encryption and other secure communications tactics, NBC News reports. News of the help desk comes from Dr. Aaron Brantly, a cyber fellow at the Combating Terrorism Center with the US Military Academy at West Point. According to Brantly, ISIS has "developed a series of different platforms in which they can train one another on digital security to avoid intelligence and law enforcement agencies for the explicit purpose of recruitment, propaganda and operational planning."

  By Jessica Conditt Read More

• Congress considers letting US companies hack Chinese attackers

  Your parents probably told you that revenge solves nothing, but the US might be willing to make an exception to that rule when it comes to hacks. A Congressional commission's report suggests that the government should consider letting companies hack the Chinese hackers that break into their systems. Theoretically, firms could erase or recover any stolen data from the original hack. The study also suggests creating a court that would hear evidence from cyberattack victims and determine whether or not the US should launch counter-hacks on their behalf.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Anonymous goes to war with ISIS over Paris attacks

  In the wake of ISIS' coordinated attacks on Paris Friday night that left 129 civilians dead and scores more injured, the loosely-affiliated hacker collective known as Anonymous announced Sunday the launch of a massive cyber-campaign, dubbed #OPParis, designed to scrub the terrorist organization's influence from the internet while French airstrikes wipe ISIS strongholds off the map. "We can not fight them with guns and rifles," an Anonymous spokesperson told the BBC, "stopping their propaganda is an effective way to weaken their manpower and their presence in the Internet."

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• Germany scales back its spying while other nations want more

  The UK and other countries might be pushing for greater spying powers than they've ever had before, but don't tell that to Germany -- it's doing just the opposite. The country hopes to ban its intelligence agency, the BND, from indiscriminately spying on European Union citizens or organizations. Effectively, it'll give the EU the same privacy rights as it would offer people within its own borders. The proposed law will limit digital snooping and wiretaps to extreme situations, such as when there are suspicions of terrorism, organized crime or broken arms embargoes. It also explicitly forbids spying on allies' institutions (ahem, NSA) and economic espionage.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• MetroPCS site flaw exposed the data of 10 million subscribers

  It's not just hacks that put your personal data out in the open -- sometimes, it's just poor coding. Security researchers Eric Taylor and Blake Welsh have shown Motherboard a MetroPCS website bug that, until it was fixed this month, made it easy to get sensitive info for over 10 million subscribers. All you needed was a phone number to get a person's home address, phone serial number and more. And if you weren't picky, you could have whipped up a script to harvest all of the data within two days.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• The Pentagon's plan to outsource lethal cyber-weapons

  The Pentagon has quietly put out a call for vendors to bid on a contract to develop, execute and manage its new cyber weaponry and defense program. The scope of this nearly half-billion-dollar "help wanted" work order includes counterhacking, as well as developing and deploying lethal cyberattacks -- sanctioned hacking expected to cause real-life destruction and loss of human life. In June 2016, work begins under the Cyberspace Operations Support Services contract (pdf) under CYBERCOM (United States Cyber Command). The $460 million project recently came to light and details the Pentagon's plan to hand over its IT defense and the planning, development, execution, management, integration with the NSA, and various support functions of the U.S. military's cyberattacks to one vendor.

  By Violet Blue Read More

• Gmail will soon warn you when an unencrypted message arrives

  In its on-going quest to lock down your email communication, Google is working on a new notification system for Gmail. The alerts will let you know when you receive a message from an incoming mail server that's not encrypted. Mountain View continues its work on email security, partnering with researchers to analyze changes since 2013. A multi-year study found that while email security improved over the last two years, but threats remain from those tampering with SSL requests and malicious DNS servers. The issues don't impact Gmail to Gmail messages, but they could cause issues with correspondence from outside email providers. So, to combat the issue, Google came up with the warning system. Those Warnings will alert users to potential dangers, and they're expected to roll out in the months to come.

  By Billy Steele Read More

• New Android exploit can hack any handset in one shot

  Hackers have discovered a critical exploit in Chrome for Android reportedly capable of compromising virtually every version of Android running the latest Chrome. Quihoo 360 researcher Guang Gong demonstrated the vulnerability to the PSN2OWN panel at the PacSec conference in Tokyo yesterday. While the inner workings of the exploit are still largely under wraps, we do know that it leverages JavaScript v8 to gain full administrative access to the victim's phone.

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• 'We take your security seriously'

  Anyone who has even the slightest amount of contact with the internet is familiar with the scenario: An email or actual piece of mail arrives from a company who apparently handles some part of your connected life. The letter calmly identifies its author as a company you do business with, either by choice or by default. It blandly informs you that there has been a security incident in as little detail as possible. You have already heard about it on the news. It was probably a month ago and in more detail than in the letter currently staring back at you. Then the company's mass-missive assures you, "We take your security seriously."

  By Violet Blue Read More

• Carnegie Mellon may have ratted out Tor users to the FBI

  In a story that may become an acid test for internet privacy, the operators of the Tor network have accused Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) of taking up to $1 million to help the FBI bust illegal sites. If the allegations are true, the defendants in question certainly had it coming -- they include the drug market Silk Road 2.0 and a child pornographer. However, Tor director Roger Dingledine questions the university's ethics in the attack. "We think it's unlikely they could have gotten a valid warrant ... [since it] appears to have indiscriminately targeted many users at once," he said.

  By Steve Dent Read More

• Instagram profile tracking app harvests your usernames and passwords

  Just because an app has passed iTunes' verification procedure doesn't automatically mean it's safe. Take this Instagram client called "Who Viewed Your Profile -- InstaAgent" for example, which was available on both iTunes and Google Play until an iOS developer found out that it harvests usernames and passwords. It's not very popular in the US, so we wouldn't be surprised if you haven't heard of it, but in a nutshell, it's an app that monitors your Instagram profile views. Peppersoft developer David L-R took a close look at the app and revealed on Twitter that it's been sending log-in credentials (unencrypted and in cleartext, to boot) to remote server instagram.zunamedia.com. Despite that address, it's in no way connected to Instagram itself.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Supreme Court dismisses appeal based on warrantless phone search

  It's hard to forget a name like Quartavious Davis, but let us remind you anyway: he was sentenced to 162 years in prison with no possibility of parole for a number of armed robberies in Miami. His target locations included big name outlets, such as Walgreens and Wendy's. Now, the Supreme Court's nine justices have rejected the appeal he filed -- based on the fact that feds obtained his phone data without a warrant -- to overturn his conviction. As you may have guessed, authorities used his phone data as evidence in court, showing that his device connected to cell towers near the target locations when they were robbed to make and take calls.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Judge rules against NSA's phone data collection, to limited effect

  Privacy advocates just secured a victory against the National Security Agency's bulk phone data surveillance... albeit a limited one. A federal judge has ordered the NSA to stop collecting the phone records of people represented by Freedom Watch founder Larry Klayman. The US government is trampling on constitutional rights in the name of security, according to the ruling. The judge has refused to stay the order, too, so the NSA can't keep snooping while it appeals the case. There's a possibility that the government will have to pay damages, but that will hinge on a future trial.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Twitch rolls out two-factor to reduce profile hijinks

  Twitch announced today that it is implementing optional two-factor authentication on its user profiles. The increased security measures, while "100 percent voluntary" according to the streaming site's release, are meant to improve user experiences while reducing the need for conventional, easily hackable passwords.

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• Comcast resets customer passwords after account info hits Dark Web

  If you received a correspondence from Comcast that your password was being reset, there's a good chance your customer information was for sale on a Dark Web marketplace. A list of 590,000 accounts were made available to anyone willing to pony up some cash for email and password information. The price for 100,000 accounts was $300 while the entire list would set someone back about $1,000. The rub is that only 200,000 of the accounts were actually active. Those have already been reset by Comcast. While the information is no longer valid, this is a good reminder that you should not use the same password on multiple accounts. If a customer used the same password for their Comcast account that they use for their email account, it's extremely simple for someone to take over any services associated with that email via a password reset.

  By Roberto Baldwin Read More

• NSA discloses most security flaws, but that's not the whole story

  The National Security Agency is opening up a bit about how it discloses security exploits... though not by much. Officials have posted an infographic boasting that the NSA shares details about 91 percent of the security flaws it finds, with the remaining 9 percent either fixed by vendors first or held back for "national security reasons." As it argues, it's in the country's best interests to protect the internet by "responsibly" letting software developers know about these dangerous bugs. There wouldn't be much point to holding back on these details if it wrecked the internet, the surveillance outfit says.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Dongle 'fixes' your PC's security by killing your USB port

  We've seen some questionable crowdfunding campaigns in our time, but this one might take the cake. A Russian outfit is raising money for USB Killer, a $99 dongle that thwarts data thieves by... electrocuting your USB port. Yes, you're paying money to damage your computer. There's even a disclaimer that this could wreck your motherboard, turning the whole PC into a paperweight. It's supposed to help in case of "emergencies" like break-ins, but something tells us that you'd have a lot more to worry about with someone so close to physically raiding your data.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Hackers have infiltrated the US arrest records database

  Earlier this year, a hacking group broke into the personal email account of CIA director John Brenner and published a host of sensitive attachments that it got its hands on (yes, Brenner should not have been using his AOL email address for CIA business). Now, Wired reports the group has hit a much more sensitive and presumably secure target: a law enforcement portal that contains arrest records as well as tools for sharing info around terrorist events and active shooters. There's even a real-time chat system built in for the FBI to communicate with other law enforcement groups around the US.

  By Nathan Ingraham Read More

• TalkTalk hack: exactly 156,959 customers had personal details stolen

  Two weeks after TalkTalk confirmed a "significant and sustained cyberattack" on its website, the company has revealed exactly how much data was stolen. Hackers obtained personal details for 156,959 customers, including their names, email addresses and phone numbers. A week ago it placed the figure at "less than 1.2 million" -- and while that was technically accurate, today's update should feel like a radical downgrade. Of those affected customers, TalkTalk says 15,656 bank account numbers and sort codes were obtained in the attack. That's down from the "less than 21,000" it had stated previously.

  By Nick Summers Read More

• New strain of Android malware is 'virtually impossible' to remove

  Do you remember the bad old days of computer viruses so invasive that it was easier to nuke your software and start over than fix the problem? They're back... in mobile form. Lookout has noticed a trend toward Android malware that masquerades as a popular app, but quietly gets root-level access to your phone and buries itself deep in the operating system. If that happens, you're in serious trouble. Unless you can walk through loading a fresh ROM or carefully modify system files over ADB, it may be easier to just replace the device, or have your phone company reflash it -- a simple factory reset won't get the job done. Some of the bogus apps are little more than shells for ads, but others will work properly while they compromise your device.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Anonymous posts the names of people it believes are KKK members

  Online activist group Anonymous has followed through on its promise to divulge the names of people it believes are involved in the Ku Klux Klan. On November 2nd, Anonymous outlined its plan to release about 1,000 names, with a chosen date of November 5th for the full info dump. An early leak of the list claimed to name politicians and police officers as KKK members, though many of those "outed" at the time denied their involvement. The list released today includes fewer than 1,000 names, though it claims to reveal popular online gathering spaces for KKK members and the names of regional groups. Anonymous notes that it collected the data over 11 months through interviews with experts, public documents and "digital espionage." In some cases, purported KKK affiliates spoke with Anonymous members via chat services, the group says. "You never know who you are talking to on the internet," Anonymous writes.

  By Jessica Conditt Read More

• Mobile apps share a lot more of your data than you think

  You're probably well aware that many mobile apps want to share your data. They need your email address to set up an account, or your location to tag your photos. However, a research team has discovered that at least some of that software is sharing more than you might be comfortable with. On average, 110 Android and iOS apps sent data to three separate internet domains. That's not necessarily a problem by itself, but that info sometimes goes to places you'd rather not send it (say, medical search terms sent to marketers). Also, this info sometimes arrives in combinations that could be used to track your behavior, like your name and location.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• UK Investigatory Powers Bill: what you need to know

  The UK government has put forward a bill today that forces internet service providers (ISPs) to keep a record of the websites their customers have visited for up to 12 months. These "internet connection records" (ICRs) could then be requested by law enforcement, security and intelligence agencies to identify which services a person or device has been accessing. It would not reveal every webpage they've browsed -- the current understanding, as set out in David Anderson's recent review of surveillance laws, is that it would cover google.com or bbc.co.uk, but nothing beyond the first forward slash.

  By Nick Summers Read More

• YIFY: The rise and fall of the world's most prolific movie pirate

  It's never been hard to pirate movies, but for a long time, one collective has made it easier to watch the latest blockbusters than any other: YIFY. By focusing on speed, better quality rips and small file sizes, the group quickly grew to become the number one source for illegal movies, catering for the needs of millions of content pirates around the world. However, the YIFY name may soon fade into obscurity after it was revealed that its leader had been traced and named in a New Zealand lawsuit following a joint operation between the MPAA and its "international affiliates." While many believe that its releases won't be missed, YIFY's shutdown will leave a big hole in the piracy market and have a knock-on effect on streaming services like Popcorn Time -- at least until another group steps up.

  By Matt Brian Read More

• TalkTalk hack: MPs launch inquiry after police make fourth arrest

  We now know the extent of the TalkTalk hack, and while it's not as bad as everyone first feared, it still poses massive questions about cybersecurity and the countermeasures being taken by British technology companies. To get a better grasp of the situation, the UK's cross-party Culture, Media and Sport Committee has launched an inquiry today into the recent attack. While TalkTalk is the focal point -- MPs will look at the "nature" of the hack and TalkTalk's response -- it'll also be considering the telecoms and internet service provider (ISP) industry as a whole. Specifically, the Committee wants to know what measures are being taken to stop these sorts of breaches, how much money businesses are investing in their defences, and whether response protocols could be improved.

  By Nick Summers Read More

• A backing-up frenzy - keeping my digital life safe

  Chores are a thing of life, like cleaning the house and doing the washing. If it's not done, the house gets messy and the clothing gets stinky. For me, regularly backing up my hard drive falls in that category of chores. It is one of those tasks that I would put off till tomorrow, not knowing what could happen to my data if something bad was to happen. I believed the time spent on backing up data on physical media could've been spent on more rewarding things - like baking a cake, or catching up on my favourite television shows on DVD.I am constantly reminded of my experiences back in university. I was making semi-regular backups of my work to my external hard drive like any good student would. (Take 'semi-regular' very lightly - see above). One day, I was struck with fear when a computer virus had infected my 1TB hard drive. The pain of virus checking, reformatting and backing up every university assignment, my pictures and my music was something I'd rather not want to recall.You may be wondering - why didn't you use cloud storage? I have to admit, I was late to the game when it came to that. I was a stern believer in physical storage, even after the experiences during my university years. In addition, this was 2007 - when cloud storage was only limited to Windows Live Folders. Who remembers that?!Fast forward to today - cloud storage is something I can't live without. Technological advances and increase in internet speeds has made cloud storage more feasible. It has also made backing up less tedious. I have a three-pronged approach with my backups: Cloud storage. Physical storage Offsite storage.Cloud StorageThis is the main data source in my regular backup routine. I use Google Drive as my daily driver for backups. With 15GB of data available on the free tier, it is a great choice for anyone. Previously, I had used OneDrive in combination with my Office 365 Subscription. However, because of the recent changes to the service by Microsoft, I made the switch to Google Drive. A key feature of Drive is its integration with Google Photos. This is important for me because I have quite a bit of holiday snaps and personal mementos. Google Photos makes it easier to browse on a device like a phone or a tablet.When I first started with cloud storage, I only selected my documents folder to be the regular backup folder to be synced daily. The initial backup was one-time for my photos and videos. This was to conserve bandwidth and to prevent syncing mistakes. After all, you wouldn't want an errant photo to be deleted or added and automatically synced to the cloud?! Any changes or additions I would manually sync.As an extra layer of convenience, I used a tool called Mover.io to sync between cloud storage services. When I used OneDrive as the main backup source, I had kept Google Drive as the backup to the backup. There's no such thing as too many backups! I would highly recommend this to anyone who is a bit pedantic about the integrity of their data. Now with my OneDrive relegated to OneNote syncing only and Google Drive promoted to the main data source, I'll be setting the same thing up with my Dropbox. Mover.io is free for personal use.It's all about being smart with cloud storage. Treat it the same as physical storage. Have as many as you can across many services.Physical StorageI don't recommend to anyone to solely rely on cloud storage. Heck, you shouldn't solely rely on physical storage either. They all have to compliment each other. In true fashion, I also have multiple formats for my physical storage backups. I have my most important photos and documents backed up on a 32GB USB flash drive. That flash drive is a mirror on what is contained in my Google Drive or Dropbox. Being flash based means the chances of data corruption is slim, but doesn't mean it'll still happen.My general backup drive is a 1TB USB3 hard drive. It is formatted to HFS+ Journaled - the same file system as the Macintosh. The rationale behind this is that HDD is complimentary to the Mac, and would really be only accessed by that Mac. If I wanted to move data between computers, I would be using a USB stick or the cloud storage.My backup routine is less with physical storage. I would do major backups every 6 months for both my 32GB USB and the HDD. Most of the time, I would pull the data from the cloud storage to put on the physical storage.Do I use DVD's or CD's for my physical storage? Well that's what the next section explains...Offsite StorageIf you're up to here now - you must think I am nuts with all these backup media and processes. It can be warranted! This would only make your opinion of me even more skewed! I have made DVD's of important photos and videos that I had given to a trusted friend of mine. You don't have to do this, but I'm a 'worst case scenario' kind of guy. I like to have peace of mind that my digital life is safe and I have many media to access it. So, if you want, find a trusted friend and give your data to them for safekeeping!That's how I manage backing up my digital life. It may seem very crazy, and sometimes unnecessary, but I believe digital files are easier to destroy than physical files. With our world becoming more digital each day, it's highly important that we are still able to access our data after something bad happens.

  By Mark Zita Read More

• Adware found in MacUpdate's Skype Installer package

  Long-trusted software site MacUpdate has apparently gone the way of its competitors: It has been tainted by adware. A Twitter user tried to download a Skype Installer package from the site and discovered that all was not as it appeared. The file looks normal at first and when opened you're prompted with a user agreement that people generally just click past, but it's here that gives the installer the right to change browser settings and add a "search-assist" browser extension. This type of software-trickery is identical to those used by InstallCore adware and as soon as the Skype agreement is confirmed, an InstallCore browser is added to Safari. It's usually wise to download software from the developer's site but the appeal of MacUpdate was that it acted like a one-stop-shop of sorts, carrying with it a strong reputation for reliable downloads. Now, with this news coming to light, maybe it will have to be added to the boycott list right under Download.com and Softonic.

  By Christopher Klimovski Read More

• Snowden's favorite secure chat services unite in one Android app

  Want to keep your text and voice chats truly private, the way NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden does? You'll want to try Open Whisper Systems' Signal for Android, then. The newly launched, Snowden-approved app merges OWS' existing RedPhone and TextSecure products into a single client -- you can communicate over an end-to-end encrypted connection without having to switch apps as you switch formats. The code is open source, too, so you can verify that there aren't any government back doors. It's really just an amalgam of features you've seen before, but it could make a big difference if you're determined to keep your conversations away from prying eyes.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• US prosecutes man who hacked identities to help ISIS

  Extremism and terrorism are complex things in the internet era, and US federal prosecutors are learning this first hand. The Justice Department recently charged Kosovo citizen Ardit Ferizi with leading a hacking team that swiped the personal data of US military staffers in order to help Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) supporters kill as many as 1,000 Americans. That campaign hasn't panned out, as you might have guessed, but it makes the consequences of a typical data breach look timid by comparison.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Bunk Baidu SDK puts backdoor on millions of Android devices

  A software development kit created by Baidu, China's Google, has reportedly opened more than 100 million Android devices to malicious hackers. Baidu's Moplus SDK may not be available to the public but it's already made its way into more than 14,000 Android apps -- only 4,000 of which Baidu actually created. The SDK allows its apps to open an unsecured and unauthenticated HTTP server connection.

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• Pentagon launches cybersecurity exchange to combat hackers

  The Department of Defense is taking a number of steps to up its cybersecurity game, Terry Halvorsen, the Pentagon's Chief Information Officer recently told a reporters breakfast hosted by The Christian Science Monitor. "There's not a time when I'm not being attacked somewhere in the world," Halvorsen said. "We're looking to industry to help us solve some specific areas." To that end, the DoD has begun assigning its civilian personnel to 6-month tours of private cybersecurity companies, such as Cisco, as well as inviting employees from those firms to help train its personnel to defend the DoD's networks against hacks.

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• Anonymous says it's outing 1,000 prominent KKK members (updated)

  Anonymous is no stranger to risky internet activism, and its latest campaign is no exception to the rule. The hacking-focused collective claims that it's outing "up to" 1,000 people who are either Ku Klux Klan members or "close associates" of KKK factions. It says it'll reveal all on November 5th, but an early data leak already purports to name-and-shame mayors, members of Congress and police officers (including cops in Ferguson, Missouri). If true, the details would potentially wreck more than a few careers -- especially those of people who use roundabout methods to support the Klan while keeping their racist connections a secret.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• TalkTalk hack investigation results in a third arrest

  Just how many people were involved in the TalkTalk hack? That's the question everyone's now asking after UK police arrested a third individual over the weekend. Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Cyber Crime Unit apprehended a 20-year-old man on Saturday, after obtaining a search warrant for a property in south Staffordshire. He was later released on bail, and officers have confirmed that he won't be recalled until March next year. Police arrested a further two suspects last week -- a 15-year-old boy from County Antrim, Northern Ireland, and a 16-year-old boy from Feltham, London. An address in Liverpool has also been examined, although it's unclear how that relates to the overall investigation.

  By Nick Summers Read More

• You might not have to update next-gen antivirus software

  Antivirus and malware protection programs are great, but they have a fatal flaw: they can only protect your PC from threats they know about. It's not a terrible problem, but it gives attackers a brief window of opportunity to harm your computer every time they tweak their code. If a PC hasn't nabbed the latest update to its protection suite, it's vulnerable -- but it doesn't have to be that way. Researchers are using deep learning algorithms that can spot new malicious code naturally, without database updates.

  By Sean Buckley Read More

Entertainment (9)

• Q&A with Diskord

  Diskord, aka "The Cyberpunk" and "The Mutant Mastermind", is a ringside mercenary and a post-industrial noise merchant who has worked for Vendetta Pro Wrestling and has managed wrestlers like Techno Destructo and Sinn Bodhi. Diskord can be seen live twice a month at Underground Empire Wrestling (East L.A.), every eight weeks at Cen-Cal Professional Wrestling (San Luis Obispo), and will be a part of the roster at Unity Pro Wrestling (Torrance). Diskord also makes experimental industrial music which can be heard here. 1. What's the best tech advice you've ever received? The error is more often with the user than the system. Of course it's not always true, but a high percentage of the time it is. Really, that's pretty good advice for life too. 2. What is your worst tech habit? Two words: Social. Media. It is concurrently the greatest and worst invention of the modern era. Use of social media is essential to success when you are an entertainer. Even beyond that, I spend an inordinate amount of time there and good rarely comes from it. It's in my nature to mess with people. I used to say that I liked to conduct "sociological experiments," but the truth is that I'm an antagonist by nature and social media makes it way too easy for me to give in to that vice. In recent years I've been able to narrow down the focus of my wrath to the wrestlers my clients and I are feuding with, so that's a plus. Also, to my credit, I'm not just a keyboard warrior. I've taken plenty of licks in the ring for things that I've said and done online. I never say anything online that I wouldn't say to someone's face, even if it will get me punched. 3. What app(s) can you not live without? I know it probably sounds stupid and simple, but the "Notes" app on my Phone is essential to my survival. I have so much going on in my life that I need to make lists. Admittedly, I've also taken a lot of chair-shots to the dome, so that has probably affected my memory some. Whatever the case, that little digital notepad is REALLY handy. Whether it's making a shopping list, laying out things I need to do over the week, coming up with in-ring tactics, or jotting down some song lyrics that come into my head, I probably open that app ten to twenty times a day. Also, the "Garage Band" app is very useful. I often get random drum patterns, bass-lines or melodies stuck in my head, and "Garage Band" for iPhone has allowed me to make note of those as they come to me so that I don't have to try and remember them later. 4. Are you sporting a wearable right now? If so, what is it? I don't need wearables. I have implants. One of the many benefits of being friends with Techno Destructo. 5. If you could have any superpower what would it be? I already have a nanoprocessor implanted in my brain that allows me to flash-calculate the potential outcomes of events, which makes me an excellent tactician. I also have a modified Bluetooth device installed in my head that allows me to mentally interface with specific technology at the speed of thought. (I call it Greentooth.) Additionally, due to some genetic tampering, I have a gland in the back of my throat that allows me to secrete a caustic green fluid from my mouth when I go into "fight or flight" mode. Don't get that stuff in your eyes. It hurts. Beyond that, I would really like the ability control kinetic force with my mind. That would be really useful. 6. What is your #1 tech pet peeve? It bugs the bejesus out of me when people get all self-superior because of the brand of technology they use. "Oh, I'm a MAC guy," "well, I'm a WINDOWS guy." Screw that! Both brands have their uses (I use Mac for audio/video production and Windows for gaming), and choosing one over the other is nothing more than a personal prerogative. Unless you have built your own machine and/or developed your own operating system, it's completely masturbatory to have THAT MUCH pride in your brand of choice. 7. What is your go-to karaoke song? I have a few. I rock Johnny Cash's "Folsom Prison Blues," INXS' "Need You Tonight," and Prince's "Gett Off." Every once in a while I find an uber-rad KJ who has Ol' Dirty Bastard's "Shimmy Shimmy Ya" or Sisters of Mercy's "Lucretia My Reflection," and I own those too. 8. Who would play you in your biopic? They would have to CG me. By the time I'm done with my cybernetic and genetic upgrades, I'm not going to look anything like a human being. Maybe some Pixar animators could go rogue, start their own production company, and animate my biopic. Of course, Samuel L. Jackson would have to do my voice. 9. Who is your favorite villain? Skeletor, hands down. He is the very pinnacle of commitment to a cause and dogged determination. I have a personal mantra for when things go wrong in my life... "WWSD: What Would Skeletor Do?" The answer, of course, is: berate the minions, pick up the pieces, move forward and keep on grinning! Also, Frank Langella's performance as Skeletor in the 1987 "Masters of the Universe" movie is highly, HIGHLY underrated. He chewed the scenery in that role and never gets enough credit for how amazing he was in it. 10. If you could create an emoji not yet in existence, what would it be? I often wish there was an emoji of someone ripping out their own eyes and throwing them against the wall. SPLAT! Maybe some sort of animated GIF deal. 11. Tell us a joke. The 2016 presidential election could come down to Donald Trump vs Hillary Clinton. 12. How do you disconnect? I watch a lot of old school wrestling. That's like meditation for me. Throw on something from the 70's or 80's and watch the true masters of their craft at work. I don't have cable, but I have the WWE Network. That's my go-to when I need to just zone out, but I'm also studying in the process. Wrestling isn't about what's new... It's about what's been forgotten. Those old matches are full of stuff that people aren't doing anymore, just itching to be brought back to the ring. Other than that, working on music takes me to "the other place." I can lose hours composing tracks, manipulating samples, and summoning dissonant noise from the depths of the abyss. Music and wrestling are my two passions in life, and I'm really only at peace when I'm doing one of the two. 13. What is your favorite GIF? I feel like this dude at least once a day. 14. What was the last thing you Googled? Quotes from the 80's BBC show "The Young Ones." I couldn't remember the exact words to one of Rick's poems about "totalitarian vegetables," and I desperately needed to harass a very vocal vegan friend. 15. If you were a cocktail, what kind of cocktail would you be? Molotov? Heh. There actually is a drink named after me. The Diskord is a mix of absinthe and Crystal Head vodka, mixed with honey, lemon and club soda, served over ice. It's cerebral, hard to swallow for many, will alter your perceptions, and has a green tint to it... That pretty much sums me up in a nutshell. 16. Show us the last photo you took on your phone It's me and my Mini-Me. This kid spent his own money to put together a costume identical to my ring gear. He is a badass and he gives me hope for the future. 17. What device(s) are you currently lusting after? A sub-orbital deathray. A mech suit. A second pair of cybernetic arms with chainsaw-hand attachments. An inter-dimensional portal generator that lets me summon Elder Beings without the messy rituals. Oh, and a Tesla car. 18. What aspect of your life remains analog? I have not yet mastered the art of digitally punching a face... But it's not for lack of trying. The day I develop that technology, I will be unstoppable! And I won't even market it. I'm saving that one all for myself. 19. What is your biggest tech time suck (website/app/game/et al)? On the rare occasion that I have free time, I like to play a game on Wikipedia where I look up something that interests me, read the article, tab through the hyperlinks at a random interval and read whatever article I stop on, then repeat the process until I loop back around to the original article I looked up (or my brain melts down from information overload). This can kill hours of time, but I SLAY at Trivial Pursuit because of it. 20. Share your favorite tech tip or trick When playing "Duck Hunt" on an original NES, if you plug a controller into the Player 2 slot, you can totally control the duck. You may think this tip is irrelevant right now... But wait until they invent time machines! You WILL thank me when you can go back and severely screw with your nine-year-old self. 21. What reality show would you like to see created? You know that movie "The Running Man?" I'd like to see something like that, but starring D-List media stars. Or maybe just a live-action version of "Celebrity Death Match." 22. Finish this sentence: I would absolutely take a class that taught me how to... ...Master digitally punching a face. In all seriousness, I place a high value on education. I've actually gone back to school and am about to finish my A.S. in psychology. I think everyone could stand to go and take a class in ANYTHING, no matter their education level. If you sit on your ass and watch TV for more than two hours a night, why not use that time to better yourself and actually LEARN something??? Once I've finished my psych degree, I'm going to go take some business classes just because. Better knowledge of how the world works never hurt anyone 23. What is the last book you read? "The Gnostic Jung and the Seven Sermons to the Dead" by Stephan Hoeller. It draws parallels between Jungian psychology and the ancient Gnostic religion. It's super interesting, if you're into those kinds of things. I'm a big fan of both Jung and Gnosticism, so I really ate this book up.

  By Amber Bouman Read More

• The Chemical Brothers bring Hollywood special effects to dance music

  I look around at the sea of glowing faces surrounding me in the dark of Randall's Island in New York. There's no fist pumping. Their feet aren't shuffling. Instead, they're looking straight ahead at a large hand-drawn figure on a black screen. The frame, shaped like a human body, is filled with an entangled web of white lines. It appears to stand behind a barricade of light beams that shoot up from the stage. When the rapper Q-Tip's voice booms -- "World, the time has come to galvanize"-- the figure shakes furiously as if trying to break free from its enclosure. With every beat of the iconic Chemical Brothers track, the abstract form pushes back with swift choreographed moves. It struggles for a while before it breaks down the light-built cage and spins freely with the elegance of a trained contemporary dancer.

  By Mona Lalwani Read More

• Wu-Tang Clan sells its one-of-a-kind 'Shaolin' album for millions

  Remember Wu-Tang Clan's Once Upon a Time In Shaolin album? The group spent nine years recording 31 tracks for a special LP, then decided to sell just one copy of it -- for a very high price, of course. It was finally purchased by a private American collector for "millions," according to Forbes. The deal was completed in May, but the contract was finalized only recently. The buyer will get to listen to the album now, but won't have the right to release it publicly for another 88 years. "The Wu-Tang Clan has always been driven by innovation, and this marks another moment in musical history," said co-founder RZA. He added that "we hoped that this concept would inspire debate and new ways of seeing creativity."

  By Steve Dent Read More

• The challenges of running a modern VFX Studio

  We've come a long way since the Harryhausen-era of special effects. Instead of countless hours spent adjusting claymation models, modern VFX require more computer processing power than the moon mission. But while they seamlessly blend into our storytelling, creating convincing special effects is still no easy feat. Just ask Shade VFX CEO, Bryan Godwin.

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• Virtual pop star Hatsune Miku will tour North America in 2016

  Hatsune Miku may have started out as the humble Mascot for a music production software suite, but today she's a bonafide pop star -- and she's about to embark on her first multi-state US tour. Yes, it's a little weird if you think about it too much, but it's happening: starting in April, Miku Expo will be touring Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Dallas, Toronto and New York, with other possible cities to be revealed later.

  By Sean Buckley Read More

• 'Resident Evil' the play is better than I expected

  The first Resident Evil games were my favorites. With comically bad dialogue like the now infamous "Jill sandwich" meme, tension built on scare tactics, gore and the thrill of a shotgun blast, simpler was better, or at least more fun. As soon as the franchise started to take itself too seriously, I stopped paying attention. So when Capcom decided to make the video game horror franchise into a stage play, I feared it'd either steer straight into closed-space melodrama (i.e., actors trapped in a room; one has a dark secret) or that it'd simply have little to no relevance to Resident Evil. So, with trepidation, I went to see Biohazard: The Stage (the series' title here in Japan) when it opened for a limited one-week run right before Halloween. Was I going to be bored to tears? Despite an unnecessarily fashionable Tyrant and a severe lack of blood, I was hooked for all two-and-a-half hours of it. And that even included a pop-dance interlude.

  By Mat Smith Read More

• The After Math: Pop culture phenoms

  Quentin Tarantino is taking some serious flack this week for his comments on the #BlackLivesMatter debate. As such, we're taking a look at some other franchises that are sure to get your geek blood pumping harder than the first time you listened to Gangnam Style. Here are the numbers you deserve, not the numbers you need right now.

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• PSY is finally getting the monument he deserves in Seoul

  PSY's "Gangnam Style" is so recognizable, the second it starts to play people know what to do. To commemorate the track that broke YouTube's view counter, the Gangnam District Office announced that it will be erecting a statue in PSY's honor because, why the hell not? The structure will be two interlocking wrists symbolic of the song's horse-riding dance move and will contain sensors in it that will trigger Gangnam Style to play when you're standing under it. It will be built in the eponymous upscale Seoul district, so if you're ever in the area make sure you stop by and check out a ridiculous statue commemorating an even more ridiculous tune.

  By Christopher Klimovski Read More

• This NYC music venue uses springs to soundproof itself

  National Sawdust is an event space that took five years (and a bunch of engineering magic) to realize. Based in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, the building is a nonprofit looking into the creative process behind making music. Which we're sure is fascinating, but it's the design that caught our attention. Early into the project designers conceived of a box-in-box arrangement, keeping the outers shell, but building something new inside it. While it solved several design issues, it also meant no sound traveled inside the performance space and no sound escaped. That said, being cited in the middle of NYC — that wasn't quite enough. With a subway running underneath the venue and heavy traffic outside, the designers decided to lift the new building's design above roughly 1,000 springs, dampening noise and converting that energy into heat.

  By Mat Smith Read More

EVs and Transportation (46)

• Vintage Electric's latest e-bike gives you more retro power

  Vintage Electric drew a lot of attention when it unveiled its retro e-bikes a couple of years ago: it managed to fuse the classic look of early 20th century board track racers with a decidedly modern electric motor. Well, it's back for another year... and it's clear that the company has learned a lot in a short space of time. Its newly launched 2016 Tracker ups both the performance and the nostalgia quotient. It's 15 percent more efficient than last year's Tracker, but produces 20 percent more torque and carries a larger 70 watt-hour battery good for 35 miles of real-world travel. At the same time, you'll find clever new touches like stainless steel accents and pewter badging.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Londoners will soon be able to share an Uber with strangers

  If you're willing to share an Uber with a stranger, travelling across London could soon be a little bit cheaper. The company is launching UberPool this Friday (December 4th) at 4pm, starting with a small patch in the centre of the city -- it stretches between Highbury in the North, Wapping in the East, Brixton in the South and Shepherd's Bush in the West. Sharing a ride will, the company claims, make your fare 25 percent cheaper than if you had travelled with UberX, the company's next best option. You simply open the app, choose the UberPool icon and your destination; it'll then ask how many seats you need (for now, two is the limit) and give a final fare. If you're the driver's second stop, Uber will tell you the name of your fellow traveller immediately, otherwise you'll get a notification mid-journey.

  By Nick Summers Read More

• VW reportedly knew its fuel economy figures were wrong a year ago

  If one report is accurate, Volkswagen execs didn't just know that their cars' emission estimates were fishy -- they knew the fuel efficiency figures were off, too. German newspaper Bild claims that top brass was aware of misleading fuel economy estimates about a year ago, or months before it became public. Former CEO Martin Winterkorn reportedly went so far as to yank one model off the market, the Polo TDI BlueMotion, because its fuel consumption was simply too far off the mark (18 percent above estimates).

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Inhabitat's Week in Green: Tesla Model S recall, and more!

  When a problem comes along, you must fix it. This week Tesla noticed a defective seatbelt in one of its Model S sedans, so the automaker immediately issued a recall for all 90,000 vehicles on the road out of "an abundance of caution." In other transportation news, Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin beat out Elon Musk's SpaceX in the race to develop a rocket that can return intact from space. Porsche announced plans to offer a hybrid version of one of the most-loved sports cars of all time. We also spotted several outlandish infrastructural hazards: a three-day traffic jam snared drivers in Kenya and a highway suddenly lifted towards the sky and splintered into pieces in California.

  By Inhabitat Read More

• Formula E is planning the first racing series for driverless cars

  It was only last year that Formula E made its debut as the first racing series exclusively for electric cars. Now, after just two seasons of championships, its organizers are already preparing for another first: a driverless racing series. The series, dubbed Roborace, will begin with the 2016-2017 season, with each one-hour event taking place directly before all the "regular" Formula E races, and on the same circuits, to boot.

  By Dana Wollman Read More

• London taxis set to accept contactless payments in 2016

  London's cabbies have moved one step closer to accepting credit cards and contactless payments inside their vehicles. It's about time, right? After launching a consultation earlier this year, Transport for London (TfL) and London's Mayor Boris Johnson have agreed to move the proposals forward with a planned introduction next autumn. There's still one roadblock -- the TfL Board has to approve the plans in February -- but if they're given the go-ahead, all taxi drivers will be required to accept these payments from October.

  By Nick Summers Read More

• VW explains how it will fix its European diesel engines

  Volkswagen released a short explainer video on YouTube Wednesday, outlining the measures needed to bring its line of EA 189 diesel engines back into compliance with EPA regulations. The EA 189s are the 1.6- and 2-liter diesel engines at the heart of the company's recent emissions scandal that has seen more than 8.5 million cars recalled in Germany alone.

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• US regulators delay law that will make electric cars more noisy

  Electric cars are famous for how quiet they are compared to regular gas-guzzlers. This is good for noise pollution, bad for pedestrians -- especially the visually impaired. Manufacturers are well aware of the issue, and solutions like Toyota's proximity notification system are becoming more popular. What's not in place, yet, is industry-wide legislation to ensure all EVs and Hybrids have such a safety feature built-in. A law requiring cars have automatic audible alerts for pedestrians proposed in 2013 is in process, but Reuters reports the U.S. Department of Transportation that's just been delayed until at least March next year -- it was originally planned to come in to action this fall. The law would cost automakers an estimated $23-million in the first year to implement.

  By James Trew Read More

• Volkswagen is issuing AR glasses as standard factory equipment

  Following a successful 3-month pilot program at its Wolfsburg plant, Volkswagen announced on Tuesday that it will begin issuing 3D smart glasses to its plant logistics personnel. These glasses, which display information like bin locations and part numbers directly in the user's line of sight, should help speed up order picking. That is, they'll tell plant employees if the parts they're holding are the parts they actually need. And to keep the process as hands-free as possible, a camera embedded in the specs will double as a barcode scanner.

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• Uber forms safety board, hopes to restore faith in its drivers

  Uber's rapidly becoming a polarizing topic, with people either prepared to defend it to the hilt or attack it with similar fervor. Much of that hate comes from a belief that the firm has a lax attitude towards background checks and its passengers safety. That's why the company is hoping to remedy the problem by appointing its first ever safety advisory board. According to the LA Times, the panel is made up of weighty names that include Ed Davis, Boston's former police commissioner and Cindy Southworth, vice president at the National Network to End Domestic Violence.

  By Daniel Cooper Read More

• Tesla's cheapest Model X is priced at $80,000

  If you don't mind waiting on delivery, the Tesla Model X is now on sale to the public. Like the Model S before it, there's three different versions to choose, but the 70D starts at $80,000 -- before incentives like federal (and possibly state) tax credits. The 70D has an estimated range of 220 miles and a top speed of 140 mph, while the 90D runs to 257 miles, with a 155-mph top speed. The P90D (the first Model X that'll arrive in early 2016), reduces the range to 250 miles, but will hit 0-60 mph in 3.8 seconds (or 3.2 if you're feeling Ludicrous). While we don't have the pricing on all the models, Tesla has shared some of the configuration prices. They're all outlined after the break, but regardless of you make it your own, expect the cheaper 90D and 70D models to land mid- and late 2016.

  By Mat Smith Read More

• Inhabitat's Week in Green: The new Prius and a two-legged puppy

  2016 is shaping up to be a tremendous year for green transportation. This week Honda announced plans to launch its Clarity Fuel Cell car next year in the US, while Gogoro is getting ready to roll out its battery-swapping Smartscooters in Europe. Chevrolet scored a grand slam as the 2016 Volt won the Green Car of the Year award, and we jumped behind the wheel of the completely redesigned 2016 Toyota Prius to give you the scoop. We also showcased two wild pedal-powered vehicles: a folding bike that weighs less than a watermelon and the world's longest bicycle, which stretches an absurd 117 feet.

  By Inhabitat Read More

• VW's emissions shenanigans may go back as far as 2009

  Volkswagen has disclosed to regulators that issues with emissions from its larger cars and SUVs may actually date back more than six years and encompass thousands of more vehicles, the EPA reported on Friday. Essentially, the company is confirming what the EPA accused it of back at the start of the month: that VW, Porsche and Audi SUVs equipped with 3.0 liter, 6 cylinder gas engines were gaming smog tests in the same manner as VW's diesel vehicles. The EPA's investigation is ongoing.[Image Credit: Getty]

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• Tesla recalls 90,000 Model S sedans to check possible seatbelt defect

  Due to a possible defect in the front seatbelt assembly, Tesla issued a voluntary recall for the 90,000 of its Model S electric sedans currently on the road. The company added that the cost of recalling so many vehicles is "immaterial" as it checks to ensure the restraints are safe. First revealed back in 2012, the Model S is no stranger to safety issues, including a number of fires, all of which Tesla has been quick to respond to. The potential problem with the seatbelts was first reported to the company earlier this month when a customer in Europe turned to speak with back-seat passengers and the assembly broke.

  By Billy Steele Read More

• Elon Musk is making Tesla's self-driving software a priority

  Tesla might have chosen to put more limits on Autopilot, but that doesn't mean it's slowing down the software's development, as well. In fact, Elon Musk has revealed on Twitter that he's "ramping up the Autopilot software team at Tesla to achieve generalized full autonomy" as soon as possible. The automaker is currently looking for "hardcore software engineers" to join the team. Sounds like you? You don't need to have prior experience working on car tech, but you have to be prepared to face Musk himself during the interview process, as the Autopilot team reports to him directly. At the moment, Tesla's Autopilot feature can park your car and steer the wheel for you, but it's not capable of completely taking over just yet. The CEO calls this project "a super high priority" -- after all, he did claim that the company will have a fully autonomous vehicle within three years. Check out Musk's tweets below the fold, including the email where you can send samples of your work.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• London Fire Brigade adopts Uber model to track and dispatch engines

  When a fire breaks out in the heart of London, every second counts for the emergency services. To speed up its response times, the London Fire Brigade has adopted a new mobilising system that tracks the location of its fire engines and any caller dialling from a mobile phone. In the past, vehicles were dispatched based on the closest fire station, rather than their actual proximity to the incident. Now, the people manning the phones can track all of London's 155 fire engines on a screen, allocate the appropriate team and track its progress towards the scene. Such a system also means that the operator can reassure callers by telling them the vehicle's exact position and estimated time of arrival.

  By Nick Summers Read More

• The Consumer Mindset of Instant Service: Uber-Important

  We live in the "instant service" era, ushered in by constantly changing on-demand technologies. Consumers are in the market for immediate service and the companies that are technologically nimble enough to provide it have been rising to the top of their respective industries. Uber, Instacart (instant groceries) and Drizly (instant alcohol) are examples of companies that swooped in to disrupt traditional industries with instant service models. Many consumers are savvy enough to recognize companies that aren't figuring out a way to incorporate "instant" into business strategies—and much of today's marketplace is dictated by that perception. Furthermore, consumers are differentiating between hype and real businesses. For example, in the app world anywhere from 80 to 90 percent of all downloaded apps are used once and then eventually deleted by users. Pressure is high while patience is low. What's the key to succeeding in this high-pressure environment? It takes a combination of flexibility, on-demand service, convenience and transparency to really resonate with an audience after the first experience. Under-Served Industries That Lag in Technology Take taxis: an industry that's withstood the test of time and stayed true to its traditions. In 2007, it made waves when New York became the first major city to require that cabs have televisions; and it took until 2009 and 2012 for cities like Boston and Minneapolis (respectively) just to make credit card payment a requirement. These efforts were mere blips in terms of real technology break-throughs, and the industry was prime for a shake-up. In 2009, a transportation company was founded that develops, markets and operates under a mobile app... Uber stormed in and annihilated taxis. They achieved all this in a remarkably short period of time by elevating the level of service to instant through technology—something that, in itself, is a lucrative business model. Established Companies: Evolve or Die Trying to Catch Up The airline industry has struggled to achieve loyalty—travel brands are known for relying on rewards and free gifts to keep customers coming back. But forward-thinking airlines understand that the instant service that resonates most with travelers needs to take loyalty deeper than just the surface. KLM, a carrier airline from the Netherlands, recognized this level of demand for customer service—and for instant service—and combined both into a lucrative social media model. Its extensive presence in the social world has not only become well-known, but has become central to several of the services they offer. KLM updates its Twitter page every five minutes with an expected wait time for a customer service response. The company has a staff of 100 people to answer questions via Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn, 24/7, and in over a dozen different languages. It's instant service, but also a marketing initiative that helps sell millions of dollars' worth of flights thanks to the loyalty it generates. Established companies have found a great deal of success in building supporting services around "instant," just as KLM infused it in customer service. Business lines centered on instant service are starting to make a significant impact on loyalty. Since self-service in the banking industry has picked up pace, customers are increasingly relying on these capabilities as a key differentiator for making bank provider decisions. A survey from SNL Financial recently found that more than half (54 percent) of respondents have switched accounts based on which bank had the better app. Accessibility and flexibility—such as cashing checks outside of bank hours—are the services consumers demand. Some industries as a whole are behind when it comes to technology. In real estate, instant service is tough to come by—property managers often run their businesses under traditional models that affect consumers with instant expectations. Modern property managers are adopting services and technology that are pushing the industry to adapt, such as offering online and mobile rent payment. Today, the instant consumer is raising the bar for startups and established companies to come to terms with an "innovate or die" mentality. Consumers expect technology to solve problems in the most instant and elegant ways—and deliver on tomorrow's value, not yesterday's problems. Consumer expectations will continue to evolve when it comes to instant service, and push boundaries across industries. What industries have you been most impressed with? Brian Donahoo is the CEO of AppFolio

  By Brian Donahoo Read More

• Self-balancing skateboards are illegal in New York, too

  If you ride a self-balancing skateboard in New York, you won't have just the seething hatred of those around you to deal with. A tweet from NYPD's 26th precinct, since deleted, pointed out that using the tech is illegal, and both IGN and Gothamist followed up with the relevant parts of state law. Apparently, Title 19, Chapter 1, Subchapter 3, Section 19-176.2 of New York's code actively prohibits such devices from being used in the streets. The legislation says that any "motorized scooter" that propels people with power, but can't be registered with the DMV, can't be taken out and about. If an official spots you, then you could face a fine of up to $500, although we'd politely suggest that they've got bigger fish to fry than an obnoxious Vine kid playing with their birthday present. [Image Credit: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images]

  By Daniel Cooper Read More

• DJI's drone safety system has you signing up to fly in some areas

  DJI is understandably nervous about where you fly its drones given that one owner trespassed on White House grounds, and it's rolling out a new geofencing system to make sure that these kinds of incidents don't happen again -- just hours after rivals 3DR did the same. Its Geospatial Environment Online service gives you updated info on where you're allowed to fly drones, including time-sensitive restrictions. You can't fly over prisons, for instance, and you may face a ban when there's a raging forest fire. However, it also has a unique way of handling exceptions: as long as you're willing to register with a payment card or phone number, you can fly in some restricted areas. In theory, this lets you enjoy your drone in more places while holding you accountable if you screw up.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• The Toyota i-Road is the funnest electric vehicle on three wheels

  While typically underpowered, small cars can be a hoot to zip around dense cities. They weave in and out of traffic that trap larger vehicles and more importantly, they're easier to park. The electric Toyota i-Road takes that idea and, like a CSI photo, enhances it until it's hard too believe what's going on is actually real. The three-wheeled electric vehicle does have the same attributes as its tiny brethren, but the first time you turn that wheel, you realize its more fun than a typical urban commuter.

  By Roberto Baldwin Read More

• 3DR's Solo drone can update no-fly zones in real time

  Now that drones are everywhere, pilots keep blundering into no-fly zones, threatening people and airliners alike. Most of the time these are simple mistakes, so drone-maker 3DR has launched a new venture with a company called AirMap to help pilots out. AirMap shows not only restricted areas around large and small airports, but also temporary flight restrictions (TFR) areas like wildfires, public events or visits from the President. 3DR incorporated these maps into its Solo UAV (above), so that if you open the app in a restricted area, you'll see a yellow "warning" or red "don't fly" circle.

  By Steve Dent Read More

• Ford's new Sync Connect app lets you remotely start your car

  How do you know that app-connected cars are going to become the norm rather than the exception? When Ford decides to get in on the action. The firm has announced the launch of its Sync Connect app that'll pair your smartphone to its vehicles, letting you access (and control) it from anywhere in the world. The first vehicle to benefit from the technology is the 2017 Ford Escape, and users will be able to control the door locks as well as remotely start the engine. In addition, the app will let you know your car's vital statistics, including the fuel, oil and battery levels, as well as letting you use GPS to pick your ride out of a crowded parking lot. Sure, we've seen similar tech in plenty of other high-spec and luxury offerings (Tesla, take a bow) but the Escape is one of the cheapest ways to get a high-tech ride.

  By Daniel Cooper Read More

• Gogoro rides its battery-swapping electric scooter into Amsterdam

  After launching in the scooter-drenched city of Taipei, Taiwan, Gogoro is setting its sights on Europe; Amsterdam specifically. Today the company announced that it's headed for the capital of the Netherlands in the first part of 2016 and that it will expand to other cities in the second part of the year. Unlike other electric scooters that charge via a wall outlet, Gogoro has a series of GoStation battery swapping stations. When the charge on a bike runs low, riders pull into a station and swap their one or both of their nearly dead batteries with a fresh ones and carry on. That entire ecosystem is coming to bike-centric Amsterdam along with the company's Smartscooter.

  By Roberto Baldwin Read More

• FAA: No, you won't need to pay someone to register your drone

  You may not like the idea of having to register your drone to fly it in the US, but you likely won't need to pay someone to handle the paperwork. The Federal Aviation Administration is telling would-be flyers to think twice before signing up with any company that promises to register your drone for a fee. You can "probably" do it yourself whenever the program kicks in, the FAA says, and the process won't be much different than registering products with their manufacturers. In short, anyone asking for your money right now is an opportunist -- they're hoping that your aversion to filling out forms overcomes your rational side.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Uber drivers can pick you up when you're headed the same way

  Uber drivers live with uncertainty: there's no guarantee that they'll get a passenger on the way home from a long shift, or while they're running errands. However, they're about to catch a break. Uber is rolling out a feature (currently only in the San Francisco Bay Area) that lets drivers set destinations twice a day, and pick you up only if you're headed in the same direction. If all goes well, they won't have to waste as much time when they're not taking fares.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Hail a scooter-riding 'Vallie' to park your car in London

  Driving in London can be slow and stressful enough, but finding a parking spot? Eesh. For many locals, that's the stuff of nightmares. Vallie wants to solve the problem with a valet parking app that lets you request custom drop-off and pick-up points inside the city. The service is available right now, but there are some caveats to be aware of; one, it's only available in a small patch of central London, between Farringdon and Aldgate; two, parking costs £8 per hour or £25 per day; three, Vallie only operates Monday to Friday, 7am to 8pm, so late-night dinners and weekend expeditions are out of the question.

  By Nick Summers Read More

• Inhabitat Week in Green: An EV that could last a million miles, and more!

  Here's something we never thought we'd hear: Wind farms in Texas are generating too much energy -- and some utilities are actually giving it away for free. In other news, the world's largest nuclear fusion reactor is set to switch online this month, and it could unlock the key to limitless cheap electricity. Clean energy is on the rise around the world: A new study shows that renewables account for half of all power plants built in 2014, Taiwan is building the world's largest dual axis solar tracker station and a Swiss company built a giant machine that sucks up CO2 and transforms it into electricity.

  By Inhabitat Read More

• UC Berkeley to study climate impact of Uber and Lyft

  Researchers at UC Berkeley's Transportation Sustainability Research Center (TSRC) have announced that they are pairing with NRDC Urban Solutions to study the climate impact of ridesharing schemes like Uber and Lyft. The study will examine whether such "ridesourcing" services have a positive impact, by replacing privately owned automobiles, or whether they actually put more cars on the road by competing with existing public transportation systems.

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• Ford first to test self-driving cars in Michigan's fake city

  The University of Michigan recently built the 32-acre "Mcity" proving ground so that automakers could test autonomous vehicles with zero risk to the public. Since the faux city is in US car country (and far from Silicon Valley rivals like Google), it's only fitting that it was broken in by a small Dearborn outfit: Ford. The automaker tackled Mcity in its latest Fusion Hybrid self-driving car, freshly equipped with four LiDAR sensors for real-time 3D mapping. While Ford has tested its vehicles extensively on public roads, "every mile driven [at Mcity] represents 10, 100 or 1,000 miles of on-road driving in terms of our ability to pack in the occurrences of difficult events," said U of M professor Ryan Eustice.

  By Steve Dent Read More

• Google's cars have driven 1.2 million miles without getting a ticket

  This afternoon Aleksandr Milewski posted a picture that suggested the ticket-less streak might come to an end, but now Google says its car was flagged down because it was going so slowly. These new prototype models are classified as "Neighborhood Electric Vehicles" and have their speeds capped at 25mph, so they stick to slower-moving streets. The officer had some questions about the car, which is apparently common for the cartoony vehicles. According to Google, its self-driving vehicles have driven 1.2 million miles, or the equivalent of 90 years of experience for an average person -- and probably still can't get an insurance discount.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• Loss of flight MH370 prompts UN satellite tracking agreement

  Following the mysterious disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 last year, the United Nations agreed to use global satellite tracking for passenger airliners. Under the terms of the deal, nations can use specific radio frequencies to monitor planes via satellite rather than solely relying on radar-driven technology on the ground. With a target of 2017, aircraft capable of sending Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) signals to the ground will also communicate with satellites to track their movements. Shortly after the MH370 tragedy, Inmarsat offered airlines free satellite tracking for more accurate location info. With this week's agreement, the UN aims to keep an eye on the 70 percent of the world's surface than the ground-based systems can't cover. In theory, the use of satellite tracking would reduce the chance of another flight disappearing without a trace. [Image credit: Kevin Frayer/Getty Images]

  By Billy Steele Read More

• Hyundai makes owner's manuals more interesting with augmented reality

  Augmented reality showrooms are one thing, but Hyundai using that tech to make learning about your new car more interesting. This week, the automaker announced its an augmented reality owner's manual app for Android and iOS. The Hyundai Virtual Guide plays nice with both smartphones and tablets, offering details on repairs, maintenance and vehicle features. Hyundai says the app will only provide reference materials for the 2015 Sonata at first, but other models will be added soon after. There's 82 how-to videos, six 3D overlay images for areas like the engine bay and over 50 guides to serve up all the details in a format that's should be engaging that flipping pages. This isn't the first time owner's manuals have gone digital, and despite Hyundai's claim, it's also not the first to include augmented reality. The apps are available now, free of charge, via either iTunes or Google Play.

  By Billy Steele Read More

• Uber signs up TomTom to provide navigation for its drivers

  After losing out to a consortium of Germany's biggest car makers over the purchase of Nokia's HERE Maps, Uber has set about building its own mapping and navigation services. They're not quite ready for prime time, so the company has had to rely upon a number of popular mapping services, including Google (which also serves as an investor), to help both users and drivers understand exactly where they are. Today, Uber has added TomTom to the list, with the Dutch company confirming that it will also support the private hire taxi firm.

  By Matt Brian Read More

• See London through the eyes of a self-driving car

  When a driverless car glides down the street, avoiding pedestrians and stopping at traffic lights, what exactly does it see? Is the machine's perspective of the world so different to you and me? To give us an inside look, ScanLAB Projects strapped a laser scanner to a Honda CR-V and cruised through the streets of London. Although the car was being driven by a human, the LIDAR (light detection and ranging) equipment performed similarly to how it would in a driverless car. Like radar or sonar, this involves firing a laser in every direction and then measuring the time it takes to reflect back off nearby objects. These timings are then collected, analyzed and collected again to give the car a real-time picture of its surroundings. ScanLAB Projects is a London design company that uses the technology for art and visualisation purposes; they've already scanned museums, an underground railway line and the arctic circle. Its latest video -- produced for the New York Times Magazine -- combines the LIDAR recordings from the drive for a beautiful, eery look at the city.

  By Nick Summers Read More

• White House teams with Uber and Lyft on free rides for veterans

  Uber and Lyft are doing a rare team-up to offer "tens of thousands" of free rides to veterans who need transportation to seek work, according to a message from the White House. Uber pledged to donate 10,000 rides worth around $125,000, while Lyft told Techcrunch that it's giving away "thousands of rides" in total. The White House pointed out that the rides will be particularly beneficial to the estimated 50,000 homeless veterans, two-thirds of whom don't have access to transportation. In addition, Uber will today offer riders a chance to donate $5, which it'll use to offer additional rides.

  By Steve Dent Read More

• Hailo opens mobile payments to all of London's black cabs

  After ditching its private hire business and recommitting to London's black cabs, Hailo has been pulling out all of the stops to get traditional taxi services back onside. On top of campaigning "every level of government" to protect the industry and reinforcing the benefits of the Knowledge, the company today announced HailoPay, a new service that let London's 22,500 black taxis offer free mobile payments to customers.

  By Matt Brian Read More

• EPA plans more real-world emissions tests in light of VW's cheating

  Car makers like Volkswagen should have an even tougher time cheating on emissions tests than they first thought. The Environmental Protection Agency has revealed that it'll include considerably more real-world diesel emissions tests as part of its improved inspections. The on-the-road testing isn't as sophisticated as what you'd find in the lab, but it should reduces the chances that companies will fudge results. Moreover, vendors won't get a chance at optimizing for the EPA's new tests -- it's keeping its exact methodology a secret.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• VW offers $1,000 in gift cards and vouchers to affected diesel owners

  Volkwagen's attempt to compensate vehicle owners who drive one of the models included in the company's emissions scandal is now official. The initial reports were indeed correct, as the company will offer $1,000 in gift cards and other incentives to VW customers. On top of a $500 dealership credit, the 482,000 diesel owners will also receive a $500 Visa gift card that can be used anywhere and free roadside assistance for three years. Audi customers who drive affected vehicles will be privy to the same "goodwill package," too. Owners will have to visit a special website to request the items by entering their car's VIN number and mileage alongside their name and address. Volkwagen says those customers should receive the package in a month. The company is already offering $2,000 in trade-in credit, and with today's announcement, the total compensation for owners of vehicles included in the on-going saga can be worth up to $3,000.[Image credit: Getty Images]

  By Billy Steele Read More

• VW will reportedly offer cash to cheated diesel car drivers

  If you're feeling burned by Volkswagen's decision to cheat on diesel emissions tests, you might get some compensation for your troubles. Sources for The Truth About Cars understand that VW will launch a "TDI Goodwill Program" that compensates diesel car drivers with cash in the form of prepaid cards. In the US, you'd get both a $500 universal card as well as a VW-only card worth $500 to $750. The automaker isn't confirming details just yet, but it tells the New York Times that it's planning an announcement on Monday. Dealers also tell the newspaper that they're aware of a program in the works, although they don't know the specifics. It may not include the expanded range of cars reportedly tainted by the scandal, though, since VW is denying claims that it cheated with some models.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Uber launches in Edinburgh, its second Scottish city

  Scotland, get ready for your second dose of Uber love. The company is launching UberX, its cheapest service, in Edinburgh this afternoon following a successful roll-out in Glasgow last month. Once you've downloaded the app and set up an account, you should be able to request a car starting from 4pm. It's promising rates that'll make it cheaper than alternative modes of transport -- a journey from Edinburgh Airport to the Balmoral Hotel, for instance, should cost £16, while Edinburgh Castle to Royal Yacht Britannia should set you back £8.25. While the demand for such a service is never guaranteed, Uber does have some data to go on; in the last six months, more than 65,000 people have opened the app inside the city. Given the service was never live, that's a pretty good indicator for pent-up demand.

  By Nick Summers Read More

• Uber event service makes sure you get home from the party

  If you're hosting a big shindig, you frequently need to find ways to get people home at the end of the night -- and a shuttle bus may be a waste if only some of your guests actually need it. This is where Uber might come to the rescue. It just announced the US rollout of UberEvents, a service that lets organizers pay for bulk rides to and from their venues. All you do is create an event and hand out codes to your attendees. You only pay when someone uses the code, and you can specify just when and where those codes apply so that there's no room for abuse. If you're determined to host the biggest party you can and don't want friends either paying for their own rides or crashing at your place, this might hit the spot.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• ICYMI: Magic robot fingers, borked Tesla Autopilots and more

  #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-512653{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-512653, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-512653{width:570px;display:block;} try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-512653").style.display="none";}catch(e){} Today on In Case You Missed It: A Korean startup is set to launch a crowdfunding campaign for its home smartening "robotic fingers" -- internet-connected gadgets that push analog buttons so you don't have to. The self-driving cars of the future could look like terrestrial BORG cubes if designer Tommaso Gecchelin has anything to say about it. And speaking of the future of self-driving cars, Tesla recently announced that it will dumb down its "Autopilot" feature to prevent customers from abusing the technology. And don't forget this awesome Judge Dredd-inspired short film from Corrior Digital and Parrot drones. If you come across any interesting videos, we'd love to see them. Just tweet us with the #ICYMI hashtag @engadget or @mskerryd.

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• Tesla will put more limits on Autopilot to discourage stunts

  Tesla introduced Autopilot features to the Model S for the sake of convenience, but some drivers have been using it as a chance to goof off. They've invoked the semi-autonomous mode while speeding, or even while they're sitting in the back seat. Understandably, Tesla isn't happy with these stunts -- and it's getting ready to clamp down. The company's Elon Musk has revealed that Autopilot will get "additional constraints" so that owners can't abuse it. There's no mention of what those features will entail or when you'll see them, but it'd be reasonable to expect speed limits and occupancy checks.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Uber carpooling experiment helps you commute between cities

  Ridesharing services already have carpooling services that let you share a ride with strangers, but they're designed for typical commuting distances, not the city-to-city jaunts that can define commutes in places like the San Francisco Bay Area. That's where Uber hopes it can make a difference. It just launched a trial run for Pool to SF, an option that gets you from South Bay cities to San Francisco in the morning. You'll usually pay between $20 to $26, but that's potentially much cheaper than the fuel and parking costs you'd face with your own vehicle. If you have a friend tagging along, you can slap on another $10 and divvy up the fare later on.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• You can buy this 3D printed car next year for $53,000

  Local Motors recently held a contest to build a roadworthy car using (mostly) 3D-printing techniques, and the winner, crowned in July, is the vehicle you see above. We now know that it'll be called the LM3D Swim and cost $53,000, with pre-sales launching in spring of 2016 and retail sales later in the year. If an unknown company building an all-new vehicle using an untested manufacturing technique doesn't sound risky enough, there's another catch, too. Sales will launch on Indiegogo, so early adopters will also need to gamble on crowdfunding.

  By Steve Dent Read More

• Inhabitat's Week in Green: Concept cars and betting big on solar

  Each week our friends at Inhabitat recap the week's most interesting green developments and clean tech news for us -- it's the Week in Green. The World Health Organization handed down some heavy news this week: Bacon causes cancer. Fortunately, scientists are developing healthier meat alternatives. One lab discovered a type of seaweed that tastes just like fried bacon (and it's two times healthier than kale), and Impossible Foods is working on the next generation of plant-based burgers. Watch out for veggie dogs though -- a new study shows that one in 10 vegetarian sausages contains meat.

  By Inhabitat Read More

Gaming (55)

• Explore the surfaces of planets in 'Elite: Dangerous' beta

  The expansion pack for Elite: Dangerous, the one that lets you go planetside and explore the surface of places like Europa, is out now. Sort of. The Horizons Planetary Landings beta, teased in a video released last week, does exactly what it says assuming you've pre-ordered Horizons itself. Everyone else needs to wait for the official release sometime before year's end. Driving the all-new Surface Recon Vehicle, players can discover signals, crashed ships and mineral deposits, vastly expanding the range of gameplay. Creator David Braben recently showed off the expansion in a demo (below), and said that certain features, like textures and frame rates, might still have issues.

  By Steve Dent Read More

• 'Pro Evolution Soccer' gets a free-to-play version this December

  For years, FIFA and Pro Evolution Soccer have been fighting for the hearts of football fans. EA has always had the money, with authentic strips and team names, but PES players will argue that Konami's gameplay makes it a technically superior franchise. If you're currently sat in the FIFA camp, or have been avoiding football games altogether, Konami hopes to win you back with a free-to-play version of PES 2016. Details are scarce, but Polygon reports that it'll be available from December 8th on PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4, with an Exhibition Mode featuring seven professional teams. Like the yearly FIFA demos, these include some pretty all-star squads -- you can expect the likes of Bayern Munich, Juventus and AS Roma to be available from the outset. You'll also get access to MyClub, which is a mode where you can build and manage your own custom team. Even if you play it just a handful of times over the Christmas break, it's free, so really what's there to lose?

  By Nick Summers Read More

• 'Sensible Soccer' remake will happen without its Kickstarter

  Developer Jon Hare surprised many people when he announced that iconic football game Sensible Soccer was getting a spiritual successor. With Codemasters still owning the rights to the existing franchise, Hare and his team launched the new Sociable Soccer concept and took to Kickstarter with a lofty funding goal of £300,000. Despite lots of early buzz, the game never looked like hitting its target, reaching £32,498 from 1767 backers. And so a decision was made to kill the Kickstarter campaign completely.

  By Matt Brian Read More

• Indie puzzler 'Fez' resurfaces with a $100 special edition

  We aren't getting a sequel to the adorable retro indie puzzler Fez well... ever. But that doesn't mean developer Polytron is out of things to sell fans. The Canadian company hopes the wound it opened by canceling the sequel won't deter you from dropping $100 on a special edition of the game that features a rather handsome hardcover notebook, "bound in red canvas with debossed gold foil inlay presented in a matching slipcase," download codes for PC and OSX versions of the game and a copy of its killer soundtrack from composer Disasterpeace.

  By Timothy J. Seppala Read More

• Lara Croft's awesome mobile adventure adds a free tomb to raid

  Lara Croft has a pretty big adventure on Xbox One this fall with Rise of the Tomb Raider, but her grand mobile mission is about grow too. Developer Square Enix Montreal announced it's dropping "The Shard of Life" expansion for Lara Croft GO tomorrow for free on Android and iOS (sorry, Windows Phone folks) with some 26 fresh puzzles to tackle while you're waiting in line at the grocery store. More than that, the publisher is knocking 40 percent off the game's price -- it'll run you $2.99 for a limited time. Oh and its hosting a Twitch event tasking the game's community to solve the new puzzles.

  By Timothy J. Seppala Read More

• Dead or Alive Xtreme 3 is too sexist for Europe and US

  Dead or Alive Xtreme 3, the game where you play volleyball as scantily clad women, won't be making its way to the US or Europe. Apparently, the game's publisher is worried about how Western audiences will react to the way the franchise depicts women. The latest installment features a sun-tanning system (whatever the hell that means), butt fights (as seen in the gameplay trailer below) and the ability to dress the characters in a wide variety of costumes.

  By Christopher Klimovski Read More

• 'Retro City Rampage' is getting a '16-bit' sequel

  Retro City Rampage is getting a sequel named Shakedown Hawaii. Like RCR, Shakedown is a top-down action game in the same vein as the original Grand Theft Auto. The new game is set 30 years after RCR and promises a large open world to explore. It also swaps in "16-bit" graphics in place of the original's "8-bit" look, and adds destructible environments to the mix. It's been confirmed for launch on PC, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita. Developer Vblank says this isn't a Sony console exclusive per se, but it's not going for an Xbox One launch as RCR hasn't been ported to Microsoft's machine, making development more complex. It'll also come to "at least one Nintendo platform" at some point. Vblank tells Polygon that a 3DS release is being targeted, and it's waiting to hear more about Nintendo's next-gen "NX" console before it makes a decision on a port.

  By Aaron Souppouris Read More

• Unofficial app makes PlayStation 4 to PC streaming a reality

  Sony's had its Remote Play tech in one form or another since the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable, but it didn't truly take off until its implementation on PlayStation 4 and the PS Vita handheld. But that's kind of wasted when nobody is buying the Vita and it's getting zero love from its parent company. Remote Play PC is exactly what its name implies: an application that tricks the PS4 into thinking a PC is a Remote Play device. Microsoft changed the game (sorry) with the ability for the Xbox One to stream its games to Windows 10-based hardware and until Sony catches up we're just going to have to settle for an unofficial app that costs money to perform the task.

  By Timothy J. Seppala Read More

• You don't have to be a millionaire to invest in Fig's next video game

  Crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter don't deal in investments: Backers pledge money to a project and that's generally where their involvement ends. No purchasing shares, no percentage of final sales. Video game-funding platform Fig, however, combines this traditional form of crowdfunding with actual investment -- and it will allow unaccredited people to invest in its next campaign. This move opens up investment to people who aren't SEC-accredited, meaning they don't make at least $200,000 a year (or have a minimum net worth of $1 million). "We believe that fans, in addition to having the opportunity to participate in the rewards-only tiers, should also have the opportunity to buy shares and participate in the financial success of a title," Fig CEO Justin Bailey says in a press release.

  By Jessica Conditt Read More

• 'Futurama' will be resurrected as a mobile game

  If the TV show that you love gets axed before you're ready to let it go, then there are a couple of things you can hope for. For instance, a streaming service could step in to fund a new season of the show, or people can turn to Kickstarter and do it themselves. But it turns out that there's another route towards salvation in the form of a mobile game, which is how Futurama is going to make its auspicious return. 20th Century Fox has signed a deal with German game developer Wooga to create Futurama: Release the Drones. The story will see the Planet Express crew take on MomCo in a delivery war, with players asked to connect groups of drones to solve puzzles.

  By Daniel Cooper Read More

• Playdate: Death becomes us in 'Darksiders 2'

  When publisher THQ went bankrupt a few years back it was a staggering blow to the game industry. Sure, the company made some flops (oh hi, Homefront), but it also published some killer games like the Saint's Row and Metro franchises. The label also had Darksiders from developer Vigil Games. But unlike the first two series that I mentioned, Darksiders wasn't scooped up by a major publisher during the bankruptcy proceedings and comparatively was kind of left to languish. I'd honestly thought all hope was lost because while the series is great, it just couldn't really find an audience. So I was incredibly surprised when word came down that Darksiders 2 was getting a remastering earlier this year.

  By Timothy J. Seppala Read More

• Virtual reality shooter 'Gunjack' is ready for Samsung's Gear VR

  Just in time for today's launch of Samsung's consumer Gear VR, developer and publisher CCP is making Gunjack available for the headset. The virtual reality game, powered by Unreal Engine 4, is an arcade shooter that takes places in the EVE sci-fi universe. Once you strap in, you'll play the role of a gun turret operator, with the goal being to protect your mothership from some menacing pirates. In an interview earlier this year, Gunjack's producer told us that the title was different from Valkyrie, CCP's upcoming VR dogfighting simulator, as it required to be developed from the ground-up and with mobile gaming in mind. If you have your shiny new Gear VR all set up, you can grab Gunjack right now from the Oculus store for $10.

  By Edgar Alvarez Read More

• Watch live streamers play developers at their own games for charity

  Erin Robinson Swink, developer of the hand-painted space-physics game, Gravity Ghost, has a simple reason driving her passion for green energy and environmental advocacy: asthma. "I remember how awful it was needing an inhaler as a kid," she says. Air pollution -- driven in large part by burning coal -- contributed to her respiratory disease. Today, Robinson Swink is combining her love of game development and clean energy for a three-day event called Beat the Dev on Twitch. The show is live now, and it promises to feature developers behind Borderlands 2, Uncharted 3, Super Meat Boy, Octodad, Nuclear Throne, Journey, Darksiders II and 17 others playing their own games against a lineup of live-streamers. Donations made during the event will benefit The Sierra Club and its clean-air, green-energy advocacy efforts.

  By Jessica Conditt Read More

• The prison-building simulator that makes you part of the problem

  ?It wasn't supposed to be this way. I started off with altruistic intentions. I was going to create a spacious, roomy penitentiary. I was going to double the minimum size of cells. There was going to be a big yard, with a pool table and TVs. This was going to be a decent prison; a social service. But then I ended up blowing the upfront from my grants on all that square footage – plus, I needed guards, a warden; then, when the money started to tighten, an accountant to find tax loopholes – and the next thing I knew I was in the red. Look, there's Andrew Brown, in for 23 years for arson. He has four sons. And now he has no choice but to to use an open-air toilet in the center of a holding cell because I'm too cheap to build walls around it. I've stripped this little avatar of his dignity. I'm starting to feel ashamed. Then it dawned on me: This isn't a resort; this is a prison. It's big business and I'm its architect, and I'm losing because I took my eye off the prize. I need to be focused on selling my prison for profit, not getting bogged down in frivolous niceties. And, I suspect, that's exactly what Prison Architect, a PC strategy game from Introversion Software, wanted me to feel.

  By Zach Hines Read More

• The best stories in 'Fallout 4' are the ones you can't spoil

  A few weeks ago, a malicious person created a new user account on Engadget (a time-consuming process in its own right) and dropped a massive pair of Fallout 4 spoilers in the comments of my Pip-Boy edition write-up. Why? Because some people just want to destroy the fun of others. I absentmindedly read these "comments" and was bummed out because I thought the game I'd been waiting for since 2009 had been ruined. As it turns out, that wasn't the case.

  By Timothy J. Seppala Read More

• 'GTA V' will never feel the same with this crazy driving rig

  Grand Theft Auto V is the perfect playground for car junkies that want to perform some virtual Furious 7-inspired stunts. Take this clip of a player landing his favorite ride inside a flying cargo plane. Nuts. But what if you could make the first-person driving experience a little more realistic? Force Dynamics, a small company from upstate New York, has done exactly that with one of its wild gaming rigs. At first glance, it looks like a typical racing arcade cabinet with a large display, a steering wheel and a bucket seat. But the entire contraption can rotate and tilt up and down, mimicking the movement of most in-game vehicles. In the case of Grand Theft Auto V, it's a gut-wrenching rollercoaster every time you launch a car off a ramp or, indeed, check out the fairground attraction in Los Santos. We'd love to have a go, although we'd probably need a paper bag within arm's reach.

  By Nick Summers Read More

• 'Hotline Miami' sale benefits the artists behind those wild soundtracks

  Hotline Miami and Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number are both dense, addictive and brutal -- and a lot of those adjectives come courtesy of the games' soundtracks. In recognition of this musical magnificence, Dennaton Games is holding a sale this weekend that benefits the aural artists responsible for both Hotline Miami soundtracks. Hotline Miami 2 is 40 percent off ($9) and Hotline Miami is 75 percent off ($2.50), and 100 percent of the proceeds during this sale go directly to the games' musicians. The combo pack, offering both games, is just $11 during the sale, and both soundtracks are discounted as well: 75 percent off for Hotline Miami's ($2.50) and 40 percent off for the sequel's ($9). The sale is live now through Monday at 10AM PT. If you've never heard the Hotline Miami soundtracks (Seriously, what are you doing with your life?), listen to a few songs below.

  By Jessica Conditt Read More

• Playdate: Answering the 'Call of Duty' in 'Black Ops III"

  Another year, another Call of Duty campaign. It's almost comforting -- an annual tradition of unlocking weapons, leveling up and ultimately realizing that we're a lot worse at this game than we remember. Join us on the Engadget Gaming homepage, here in this post or Twitch.tv/Joystiq starting at 6PM Eastern / 3PM Pacific for two hours of Call of Duty: Black Ops III. We'll be checking out the campaign and spending some time in team deathmatch to see just how bad Sean is at online shooters.

  By Sean Buckley Read More

• 'Gravity Rush Remastered' launch date shifts up a week in Europe

  Sony is doing the fine people of Europe a solid and pushing up the release date of Gravity Rush Remastered from February 10th to February 2nd. This is the new-and-improved, PlayStation 4 version of Gravity Rush, originally a (truly incredible) Vita game. Gravity Rush Remastered includes updated graphics, motion-sensing controls, and extra missions, costumes and challenges. The game is due to hit PS4 on February 9th in the US, in both digital and physical forms. A sequel, cleverly called Gravity Rush 2, is also on its way to PS4 -- and PS4 only, with no Vita version in sight.

  By Jessica Conditt Read More

• Someone made a giant Rubik's Cube in 'Fallout 4'

  It seems there are two types of Fallout 4 gamers: those who want to do nothing but take out bad guys, and a very patient few who painstakingly create some incredible stuff. Case in point, this giant floating Rubik's Cube. User "Theowest" spent a whopping 25 hours gathering and assembling 128 generators, 36 terminals and thousands of wires to create this neon behemoth, but we're not entirely sure whether or not it's a cube that can be "solved." It seems to be missing a top and bottom panel and each square is able to change color. So if you're not a gamer who would make anything like this, then take a second to appreciate its complexity -- right before you get back to kicking bad guy butt.

  By Christopher Klimovski Read More

• Get some face time with a snarling dinosaur in virtual reality

  Until the real version of Jurassic World opens the closest we'll get to going face-to-face with dinosaurs is in virtual reality. The folks at German game developer Crytek are helping that stopgap by releasing one of their Back to Dinosaur Island demos to the public via Steam for free. As VRFocus reports, this demo has been on the trade show circuit since this past March at the Game Developer's Conference in San Francisco. Here you're seeing the world from the eyes of an infant dino hanging out in a nest of unhatched eggs as gigantic dragonflies flit about a gorgeous looking and sounding primeval forest. Oh you wanted terror? Don't fret because one of history's most impressive apex predators pokes its nose in for a view as well.

  By Timothy J. Seppala Read More

• 'Don't Starve: Shipwrecked' lands on December 1st

  So far, the cult hit Don't Starve has maintained a largely familiar (if decidedly weird) setting. There have been twists and turns, but you knew what you were getting into. Well, the developers at Klei have decided to shake things up a bit: they're launching Don't Starve: Shipwrecked, a seabound add-on, through Steam Early Access on December 1st. The company hasn't said much about what that entails beyond new biomes, characters and creatures, although one look at the teasers suggests that you might be grappling with everything from hungry fish to angry monkeys. Shipwrecked will only be available on Windows at first, but there are promises of Linux and Mac versions in the pipeline.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• 'Deus Ex: Mankind Divided' is delayed to August 2016

  Deus Ex: Mankind Divided is due to hit PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC on August 23rd, 2016 -- though it was originally scheduled to launch on February 23rd. Eidos Montreal head David Anfossi announced the delay in a blog post titled, "No compromise on quality." He says, in part, "We're confident and proud of the game so far. However, as we are now playing through the game in full we can see that it will require more time in post-production for tuning, iterations and refinement to meet our high standards." Anfossi offers an apology and gratitude for fans' continued support.

  By Jessica Conditt Read More

• The video game 'outsiders' creating VR art that makes you think

  When Tale of Tales announced its departure from the gaming industry after 12 years of creating eccentric, cult-hit experiences, Twitter lit up with messages extolling the studio's impact on the industry. However, for Tale of Tales co-founders Auriea Harvey and Michaël Samyn, it was a hollow farewell. Their latest (and last) game, Sunset, had debuted just a month before to poor sales and lagging interest, despite a successful Kickstarter campaign and positive critical reception. Harvey and Samyn were already contemplating an exit from the world of video games and Sunset's situation pushed them to make it official. "It often didn't feel like games were worth the sacrifice," Samyn says. Now, Harvey and Samyn have returned to their pure, artistic roots -- and to Kickstarter -- with Cathedral-in-the-Clouds, a virtual reality exhibition of Christian art in the Gothic and Renaissance periods. We spoke with Samyn about following his passion and Tale of Tales' lofty goals, and came away with a clear message: If you're going to leave games behind for a project that resides firmly in the art realm, you might as well shoot for the clouds.

  By Jessica Conditt Read More

• The freedom to explore most open-world games is a lie

  Open-world games aren't going away anytime soon, but more often than not when we play them we're being led around by a breadcrumb trail instead of actually exploring. Sometimes even quite literally. The reasoning for that is because it's much easier for game developers to stick a mini-map or quest directions in the heads up display than it is to integrate means of navigation into the game world itself. It's a topic YouTuber Mark Brown knows well and he's taking it for a spin in developer Bethesda Softworks' sprawling Fallout 4. In his latest entry into his Game Maker's Toolkit series he explains why he's turning off the quest markers in Fallout's irradiated Boston and trying to let his nose lead the way, so to speak.

  By Timothy J. Seppala Read More

• Horror game 'The Park' creeps onto consoles in 2016

  The Park, a dark thriller about a child lost in an amusement park, was not everybody's cup of tea when it came out for the PC on Halloween. But we certainly had fun with the messed-up, H.P. Lovecraft-style story, and other players must have too, because it's now coming to the Playstation 4 and Xbox One. Developer Funcom said it was "encouraged by the positive reactions we have received on the Windows PC version." As a reminder, you play the game as a distraught mother seeking her son in a decrepit amusement park. The atmosphere is over-the-top creepy, but are the scares real or in her paranoid mind? If you want to play on console, you'll find out in early 2016.

  By Steve Dent Read More

• Meet the high school dropout paving the way for indie eSports

  It sounds like a classic Silicon Valley success story: A young, inexperienced entrepreneur drops out of school to pursue his dreams and ends up founding an influential, innovative company. Except, Alex Nichiporchik isn't from California; he's from Latvia. And he didn't drop out of college to follow his passion -- he dropped out of high school. Nichiporchik is the CEO and co-founder of tinyBuild GAMES, the studio behind No Time to Explain and SpeedRunners, and he's leading the indie charge into eSports. Professional gaming is new territory for small studios, which means Nichiporchik has made a lot of it up along the way, from hosting low-quality live streams to producing tournaments with the Electronic Sports League. "We didn't know what we were doing," he says, but "it took off" anyway.

  By Jessica Conditt Read More

• 'Need for Speed' balances opponents and adds neon later this month

  Need for Speed is one of this fall's best games (it really does deserve your attention) and it's about to receive some changes. First up are tweaks to the game's computer-controlled opponents. Developer Ghost Games says it's working to make the rubberband AI, what keeps the other racers close by you regardless of how much of a lead you've built, "more balanced." If you're a fan of the current system, hopefully this new addition will be an option rather than a requirement. The game's visual customizations are getting some newfound love as well: a look at neon lighting kits, functional mirrors, more pre-made vinyl sets (additional features for that, too) and a better color picking system. Ghost is increasing the level cap and adding a smattering of new achievements, too.

  By Timothy J. Seppala Read More

• Watch people play 'Desert Bus' for days in the name of charity

  Penn & Teller's Desert Bus mini game is legendary for its tongue-in-cheek monotony (you drive 8 hours to score a single point), but it's also a force for good: the Desert Bus for Hope campaign has raised $2.4 million for the Child's Play hospital charity over the years. Well, the volunteer group is at it again with the just-launched Desert Bus 9... and this may be one of its most ambitious fundraising efforts yet. The team is planning to stream live gameplay from the notorious Sega Genesis title for as long as donations allow, which could be quite a while when last year's effort lasted for 158 hours -- that's nearly a full week. If you like the idea of an epic video game endurance test helping a noble cause, tune in below and consider sending some cash to Desert Bus for Hope at the source link. [Image credit: Andrew Ferguson]

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• 'Everest VR' will take gamers up a CGI mountain next year

  Along with a "mobile supercomputer," NVIDIA dropped off this teaser for Everest VR at its event earlier this week. Made by Sólfar Studios and RVX, it used NVIDIA's GPU to mash up over 300,000 high res pictures of the mountain range to create a 3D mesh and textures that is claimed to be the "definitive" CGI model of Everest. Some of Sólfar's personnel come from CCP where they worked on EVE Online, but this new company is all about creating purely VR experiences, like Everest for PCs and Godling for Playstation VR. I'm not going to climb Everest to find out exactly how realistic the simulation is, but everyone can form their own opinion when the full experience is available next year.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• Fallout 4's greatest asset is its color palette

  Of all the ways Fallout 4 outshines earlier entires in the series, the way it uses color is perhaps the most apparent. The game is a vast improvement over its predecessors in one simple way: It's loads more vibrant. In 2008's Fallout 3, nearly everything in the post-nuclear apocalyptic Washington D.C. was a sickly shade of green, a deliberate choice by the developers at Bethesda Softworks to sell an omnipresent feeling of sickness and decay (it still persists in certain places here). B-team developer Obsidian Entertainment's Fallout: New Vegas introduced a bit of chroma to its irradiated Las Vegas landscape in 2010, but it was still primarily a brown game. Bethesda's triumphant return to the Wastes is what shakes the series' palette up the most. As you'll see in the gallery below, the use of vibrant colors and a tightly defined palette serves a couple of purposes here: It differentiates one room or Boston-area landmark from the next and keeps everything in Fallout 4 looking visually fresh.

  By Timothy J. Seppala Read More

• This 'Fallout 4' flaming sword can set the world on fire

  It's Fallout 4 week. That means it's safe to say that when gamers aren't busy logging more than 4.5 million hours in Bethesda's latest instalment, they're probably watching all of the impressive game-related videos on YouTube. The team over at Linus Tech Tips has already managed to fit a high-end gaming PC inside a Mini Nuke, but what about building a real-life Fallout 4 weapon? If you've played Fallout 3 or made it far enough into the latest game (hint: it's located in the Saugus Ironworks), then you may have come across the Shishkebab: a flaming sword crafted from motorcycle parts and a katana. Make built one, and it's awesome.

  By Matt Brian Read More

• Game On: Smartphone games you can't stop playing

  Free smartphone games have become seemingly popular and addictive amongst the players across the globe. The professionals, home makers and kids prefer playing their favorite games on their smartphone to boost their entertainment quotient on the move. The players can leverage from the various categories of free games and select amongst the listed options. The users can proceed to download the game or directly play it on the games server too. The best gaming apps often update their database with popular games at all times for keeping the interest of the audiences going along. Some of the vendors in the space also offer unlimited number of games download for smartphones. I love to play Car games whenever I'm traveling or want to pass my free time. My most favorite car games are listed below: ASPHALT 8: It is the best android car racing game, I've ever played. It has great visual effects and car designs to endow with incredible racing and driving experience which don't even realize me about how many hours I spent in car racing and put out of my mind about the important calls from my friends. More than 10 million times this game has downloaded on Google Play Store. It has more than 50 car models but my favorite one is Lamborghini Veneno and Ferrari FXX. I never get bored as it has numerous new locations like deserts, hilly areas and many more fantastic sites. I love to perform Aerial Stunts to gain more points to unlock new car models and tracks. I invite my friends online to compete with me. A person only needs an internet connection with 8GB internal storage and 1GB RAM. Real Racing 3: It is also one of my favorite car racing game. It is created by The Electronics Art team who produced most implausible racing games the Need for Speed Series. It requires 3-4 GB Data source and 1.5 GB RAM to enjoy this game. At beginning, game looks very easy but as you move forward it becomes very difficult but interesting. It gives me a feel of real car by its rear view mirror feature. It has more than 2000 events to make your experience more pragmatic and exciting. The worst part of this game to wait for cars for their tyre changing and repairing. Red Line Rush: It is an arcade racing game, One needs to run as long as possible on a traffic ,cops will chase you and helicopters drops mines, It's my favorite part of game to shun those hindrance and hitting other cars to stay alive. I try to earn more and more coins to unlock new cars to make my game more exciting. GT Racing 2: It has more than 70 car brands like Audi, Nissan, Ferrari and many more. It also provides 13 different tracks to make my game more thrilling and surprising. I don't need to wait for car repairing like Real Racing 3 and can continue my game with my desired car. The best part of this game is that I can change camera angle view to make my race more exciting.

  By Amita choudhary Read More

• Razer says it's 'doubling-down' on Android and Forge TV

  Razer's Android TV-powered Forge TV is no longer on sale through Google, but tonight the company tells Engadget it's not giving up. According to a Razer representative, it's "doubling-down on Android gaming in the living room and looking forward to producing the world's largest library of Android TV games." The company thinks Forge TV can be a "spiritual successor" to the Ouya platform it purchased earlier this year, and is ramping up production to address current demand. The note (included in full after the break) promises more information soon, so we wouldn't be surprised to see the gaming hardware maker bring something fresh to CES in January.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• Control the weather via Twitch and torture these poor souls in London

  You read that correctly. It's called Survival Billboard, and to be clear, it's a marketing campaign for Rise of the Tomb Raider's launch in the UK -- but it's so strange (and slightly sadistic) that it's worth a mention. Eight people volunteered to stand on a billboard in London and be subjected to a series of extreme weather conditions, as chosen by people voting online. So far, the contestants have endured snow, wind, rain and heat, and they've been up there for just a few hours. One contestant has already been eliminated, meaning seven remain at time of publication. The last person standing wins a trip to exotic locations around the world. If you tune in (and vote to torture these people, you monster), be warned that the ad breaks (aside from the giant billboard) are lengthy and full of Tomb Raider cutscenes. That may be a small price to pay to be a digital weather god for a little while.

  By Jessica Conditt Read More

• Storytelling in video games doesn't have to be scary

  Benjamin Rivers believes in the dramatic, emotional appeal of the video game industry. He's the man behind Home, a surprisingly complex, pixelated horror game that found great success once it debuted in 2012. It's praised for impressive narrative arcs that branch in twisted, unique ways depending on the decisions of each player, and this is precisely the type of story-centric design that delights Rivers. He sees video games' potential to convey convoluted human experiences through strong narrative design, and he's bringing these sensibilities to Alone with You, a science-fiction adventure due to hit PlayStation 4 and PS Vita in the spring. Alone with You stars a lonely survivor on a planet due for implosion in a few weeks; players have to escape with help from the colony's AI system, which eventually takes on the personalities of dead crew members. And, it's a romance. A futuristic, interstellar romance starring just one actual human -- because that's the kind of storyteller Rivers is.

  By Jessica Conditt Read More

• 'Sensible Soccer' is getting a modern remake

  For kids growing up in the early 90s, the Commodore Amiga was the pinnacle of gaming hardware. It was no doubt helped by classic titles like Sensible Soccer and Cannon Fodder, which were the brainchild of Sensible Software founder Jon Hare. It's been eight years since the last Sensible Soccer game hit the Xbox 360, but with Codemasters still holding on to the licence, Hare's decided it's about time for a reboot: Sociable Soccer.

  By Matt Brian Read More

• JJ Abrams is working on a game with the makers of 'Infinity Blade'

  JJ Abrams' attempt to conquer the gaming world isn't just limited to a partnership with Valve. His Bad Robot studio is teaming up with Infinity Blade creator ChAIR on Spyjinx, an espionage game hitting both PCs and phones in 2016. The two are saying precious little about the title right now, but they're promising a blend of action, role-playing, strategy and even world building -- this is far more than just a Team Fortress 2 game mode. It's as if players will be in the "brainstorming session" with developers, Abrams teases. If that whets your appetite, you can sign up for chance to participate in a closed beta test that kicks off next year.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Playdate: We're giving away the 'Fallout 4' Pip-Boy Edition!

  The Fallout 4 Pip-Boy Edition proved insanely popular, so much so that developer/publisher Bethesda Softworks had to apologize when it couldn't meet demand for the plastic wrist-computer. You know who isn't saying sorry? Us at Engadget. That's because we're giving away the PlayStation 4 premium edition of this fall's most anticipated game during our Twitch broadcast today. All you need to do is hit the contest widget after the break. Join Sean Buckley and myself as we stream two hours of irradiated galavanting around the Boston Commonwealth starting at 6PM Eastern / 3PM Pacific. Sean's playing the PC version and you can watch us here on this very post, the Engadget Gaming homepage, or Twitch.tv/Joystiq if you'd like to participate in chat. How many hijinks will we get into? You'll just have to tune in and find out. So go grab a Nuka Cola Quantum and settle in. Oh, and good luck! Winner: Congratulations to Onelson G. of Brooklyn, NY!

  By Timothy J. Seppala Read More

• Talking it out: Do I buy a console or the Oculus Rift?

  So my old Xbox 360 finally gave up its ghost last weekend and presented me with the most dreaded of error codes, the 'Red Ring of Death'. It wasn't an entirely shocking turn of events, mind you. I'd had that console since 2006 -- it survived four intra-state moves, countless roommates and a bitter ex armed with a croquet mallet (seriously Ashley, if you're reading this, you still owe me a croquet set) -- but the increasingly common and severe loading screen freezes made it clear my 360 was reaching the end of its operational service life. Now I'm faced with a difficult choice: What gaming platform do I buy next? Do I suck it up and embrace Microsoft's current console, Xbox One? Should I jump ship to the PlayStation 4 which all my own friends own and use? Or, do I say goodbye to console gaming altogether and get one of those fancy new Oculus Rifts?

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• 18 ways to (nearly) die with Lara Croft, Tomb Raider

  Lara Croft is basically a superhero. She leaps with the power of someone bitten by a radioactive kangaroo, climbs sheer rock faces like her hands are coated in glue and spontaneously zip-lines down hundreds of ancient, convenient ropes like she's strolling down to Starbucks on a Monday morning. In Rise of the Tomb Raider, players will most certainly die a few times, whether in firefights with hordes of gunmen, while running across a rapidly crumbling sheet of ice or jumping across gigantic crevasses. What's incredible (and absurd) is all of the times Lara Croft survives.

  By Jessica Conditt Read More

• Activision starts a studio for 'Skylanders,' 'Call of Duty' TV and film

  Activision Blizzard today launched a studio in charge of taking its franchises from the console to the silver screen, starting with a film franchise based on Call of Duty and an animated television series all about Skylanders. Under Activision Blizzard Studios, Skylanders Academy is in production now with showrunner Eric Rogers, who is best known as a writer for Futurama. It features the voices of Justin Long as Spryo, Ashley Tisdale as Stealth Elf, Jonathan Banks as Eruptor and Norm Macdonald as Glumshanks. Details are scarce for the Call of Duty film project, but in a press release Activision calls out Advanced Warfare and Black Ops 3 as examples of the series' potential. Plus, it notes a possibility of television adaptations for the franchise.

  By Jessica Conditt Read More

• We turned on the Nintendo PlayStation: It's real and it works

  The "Nintendo PlayStation" is now the stuff of gaming legend, with reportedly only about 200 prototypes ever produced.

  By Richard Lai Read More

• 'Overwatch Origins Edition' will be on PC, PS4 and XB1 next year (update)

  Until now only a PC version had been announced for Blizzard's first all-new game in years, but today a splash page on its Battle.net website promises it will come to PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Overwatch Origins Edition is expected to arrive "on or before" June 21st, 2016, although the link to BuyOverwatch.com isn't working yet. The listing itself has very little information other than promising "all digital content included with Origins Edition will be available by launch," but an eagle-eyed Reddit poster spotted what may be a full listing of items on a videogame retailer's website. The shooter has generated hype with a public beta and many Twitch streaming sessions, but for now it's just one more reason (besides that Warcraft movie trailer) to keep an eye on BlizzCon over the next few days. Update: Overwatch is up for pre-order at BuyOverwatch.com. The standard edition costs $40 and is only available for PC. The Origins Edition is $60 and is confirmed for PS4, Xbox One and PC. There's also a Collector's Edition (PS4, Xbox One and PC) for $130.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• SNK ditches slot machines to focus more on video games

  Call SNK the anti-Konami. Rather than back away from video games, the legendary Japanese studio has announced that it's dropping its pachinko slot machine business to concentrate its efforts on both conventional video games (like the upcoming King of Fighters XIV, above) and mobile titles. There just isn't as much money in those machines as there is consoles and smartphones, SNK says. To that end, it's hiring more staff and planning more titles.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• The 'Fallout 4' launch trailer has robots, beasts, mutants and more

  Fallout 4 is poised to be a massive game (even by Fallout standards) and today's three-minute launch trailer really drives that point home. You want a city of giant, horned, Doom-like monsters? Check. Do you want to build a base? Yep. Is it your dream to be in a post-apocalyptic gang with an android? Got it. Do you love friendly dogs? Oh yes, there's a friendly dog. Fallout 4 launches on November 10th across PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC (with DLC incoming).

  By Jessica Conditt Read More

• The 'Fallout 4' Pip-Boy app is available right now

  Attention future Commonwealth explorers: The Fallout 4 Pip-Boy app is available for you to download. Unlike the gap between the release of Fallout Shelter on Android and iOS, both versions are available right this very moment. More than just acting as a mobile menu setup, you can play any holotape games you find in Fallout 4 within the app (with what sounds like a version of Missile Command built in). Sounds cool, right? Well, now you've got another something to keep you busy until November 10th -- even if you have an oversized phone. Update: A Windows Phone version has been promised, but as of this writing hasn't gone live yet.

  By Timothy J. Seppala Read More

• You can drive cars from 'Fallout 4' in 'Forza Motorsport 6'

  Can't wait until November 10th to wander through a desolate nuclear wasteland? That's a little weird, dude -- but if you need something to tide you over until Fallout 4 hits stores, Forza Motorsport 6 may have the ticket: starting today, players will be able to download a Fallout-themed 1956 Ford F100 for free.

  By Sean Buckley Read More

• 'SOMA' nearly wasn't a horror game and other secrets from Ian Thomas

  The developers at Frictional Games have a lot to live up to. This is the independent studio responsible for Amnesia: The Dark Descent, a terrifying first-person game fraught with monsters, mysterious shadows, haunting candlelight and devious puzzles. Amnesia won a handful of awards after its launch in 2010, including two at the Independent Games Festival, and it's widely considered a modern horror classic. SOMA is Frictional's first game since that success (the studio didn't even develop Amnesia's 2013 sequel), and it's an underwater, sci-fi adventure. And, of course, it's a horror game. This means the pressure is on for programmer Ian Thomas. He joined Frictional a few years into SOMA's development and he's been "bowled over" by the response to his studio's latest project. For Thomas, it's good to know that Frictional's instincts were spot-on, especially considering SOMA was almost a very different game.

  By Jessica Conditt Read More

• The new 'Need for Speed' looks like a movie shot on film

  The new, simply titled Need for Speed (out this week on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One) is as close as you're going to get to an art-house, video game version of The Fast and the Furious. The series has had players recreating cop chases from movies since 1998's Hot Pursuit, but this is the first time the game actually feels filmic. It isn't going to stand toe-to-toe with Microsoft's Forza series or Sony's ill-fated, but gorgeous Driveclub because it doesn't have to -- visually, they aren't even competing against each other. NfS doesn't run at 60FPS like Forza Motorsport; it doesn't feature those meticulously detailed cockpits either. What's more, car models aren't nearly as detailed as Driveclub's. But whatever NfS lacks in "perfection," it makes up for with killer arcade-like handling and a visual style guided by a clear aesthetic: Make a racing game that looks like a movie shot on film.

  By Timothy J. Seppala Read More

• Game streamer Hitbox takes on Twitch with 4K eSports broadcasts

  Pop quiz hotshot: Name a game broadcasting service that isn't Twitch, YouTube Gaming or MLG.tv. Give up? You're forgiven. Vienna-based Hitbox.tv is relatively new to the space and its looking to make a name for itself by offering features that the competition doesn't. Like streaming eSports events in 4K at 60FPS starting this fall, for instance. As Twitch expands into more and more non-gaming avenues, Hitbox thinks it can serve the core crowd that might feel alienated by those moves. The Austrian company has picked up some new investments recently -- most notably from the folks behind World of Tanks, Wargaming. A canned statement from the latter says that forthcoming games will "integrate game data" into broadcasts and that it should be pretty easy to do so. Hitbox also offers a wide-open revenue split system that every broadcaster has access to, rather than Twitch's curated Partner program highlighting its top broadcasters.

  By Timothy J. Seppala Read More

• Playdate's Halloween Horror Hangover: 'The Park' and 'NOCT'

  Thought our week of spooky Twitch streams was over? Not quite: there are just too many deliciously creepy games out there to cram into just two Playdate streams, so we're giving you a bonus -- Engadget's Halloween Horror Hangover. Join us as we explore the terror of losing a child in an seedy amusement park (in the appropriately named The Park), right here at 6PM EST (3PM PST), at Twitch.tv/joystiq or on the Engadget Gaming homepage. Not scary enough? Fine: we'll also be checking out the terrifying, monochrome monsters of NOCT.

  By Sean Buckley Read More

• Konami reportedly closes the LA studio behind 'Metal Gear Online'

  In case it wasn't already evident that Konami is scaling back its video game efforts, the company just dropped a big hint. Both Eurogamer and numerous developers understand that Konami has closed the Los Angeles studio responsible for Metal Gear Online, cutting "over 20 jobs" at the same time. Reportedly, the company had already shifted MGO development to Japan shortly before Metal Gear Solid V arrived in September -- the LA crew was mostly left to provide support and dream up ideas for games that would never be made.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Activision buys 'Candy Crush' developer King for $5.9 billion

  Say what you will about the quality of Activision's output, but the company makes incredibly smart business moves. Like the announcement that it purchased Candy Crush studio King Digital Entertainment for a cool $5.9 billion. For comparison's sake, Amazon paid a paltry $970 million for Twitch while Facebook spent $2 billion on Oculus VR and $19 billion on messaging platform Whatsapp. Oh, and Minecraft only set Microsoft back $2.5 billion. Bobby Kotick and Co. definitely think this is a big deal, and considering just how many people play the mindless puzzler this is likely a smart investment.

  By Timothy J. Seppala Read More

• Gfinity needs more cash to build its UK eSports empire

  Although demand for eSports continues to rise every day, helped by Twitch and YouTube, making money from competitive gaming can be hard (unless you're a successful player). It's a struggle that UK eSports events company Gfinity knows all too well after it revealed it lost £3.6 million in its first full year. Given that the company invested heavily in getting its business off the ground, which includes the launch of the UK's first dedicated arena, the loss doesn't come as a surprise, but it does highlight the need to quickly convert its growing audience into paying customers.

  By Matt Brian Read More

Google (44)

• Now you can bookmark Google image searches for later reference

  Normally, image searches on Google are ephemeral things and gone the moment you close the browser tab. However, a new feature on the search giant's mobile version makes saving the images you find as easy as bookmarking a webpage. In fact, it's the identical process: simply search for whatever phrase you want, pick the images you like and tap the star icon to save them. You can also organize these saved images into folders, thereby eliminating the need to run the search again later. The new feature is already available to mobile users in the US running both Android and iOS.

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• Google hires the lead for Tesla's semi-autonomous driving tech

  Apple and Tesla aren't the only two tech companies grabbing each other's staff to fulfill their automotive dreams -- Google has quietly hired Robert Rose, the lead for Tesla's semi-autonomous Autopilot program. It's not clear what he's working on besides software at Google Robotics, but it won't be surprising if he's working on self-driving cars. He's unlikely to be working for Boston Dynamics, whose staff are relatively independent from the Google mothership. One thing's for sure: Tesla will notice his absence. Rose was the lead engineer for some of SpaceX's earlier rocketry and reported directly to Elon Musk while at Tesla, so this clearly wasn't a trivial move.[Image credit: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images]

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• You partly have Eric Schmidt to thank for the new $5 Raspberry Pi

  While many of you were supposed to be eating turkey on Thursday, you were instead geeking out over Raspberry PI's newest computer, the Zero: a pint-sized module that costs just $5. But according to a new interview, that $5 computer was originally supposed to cost around $60 -- and you have partly have Google's Eric Schmidt to thank for that reduced price. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Raspberry Pi Foundation founder Eben Upton admitted that the follow-up to the original $35 Pi was originally going to be a more powerful model, whose higher-performing internals would have put the price somewhere between $50 and $60.

  By Dana Wollman Read More

• Google scours 1.2 million URLs to conform with EU's 'right to be forgotten'

  While still fighting it in the courts, Google has been complying with the EU's 'right to be forgotten' ruling. In a transparency report, the search giant stated that is has evaluated 1,234,092 URLs from 348,085 requests since May 29, 2014. Of those, 42 percent of the URLs have been removed from search results. When deciding which results stay and which get disappeared from results, it says, "Google must consider the rights of the individual as well as public interest in the content." Unsurprising, the top site to have its search results scrubbed is Facebook.

  By Roberto Baldwin Read More

• Google's fast mobile pages coming (with ads) in early 2016

  Google revealed the "AMP" endeavor last month to accelerate mobile page-loading times, the slowness of which is a huge user bone of contention. It now says the fast-loading mobile pages will hit search results by early next year, and also gave more details about the project's raison d'etre: ads. The list of partners supporting the effort include its own AdSense, Outbrain and AOL, Engadget's parent company. The AMP project will cut mobile data use and wait times, but Google's not just being altruistic -- it's trying to curb ad-blockers, which heavily impact the company's ad revenue. Apple recently gave ad-blockers a big boost when it revealed it would support them for Safari on iOS 9.

  By Steve Dent Read More

• Black Friday foot traffic doesn't peak when you think it does

  The day that practically every retail worker loathes with a passion is almost upon us: Black Friday. To get an idea of just how much of a nightmare shopping is on the day after Thanksgiving, Google turned to foot traffic data based on aggregated, anonymized mobile location history info gathered last year. Perhaps most surprising is that stores apparently aren't at their busiest during doorbuster deals in the wee hours, but between 2PM and 4PM -- the early-bird deals are actually when store traffic is at its lowest across the board. What's more, only certain types of stores see their traffic at their highest on that first shopping day of the holiday season: consumer electronics and cellphone stores. Malls, department stores and "superstores/discount stores" (likely places akin to Costco and Sam's Club)? They're typically busiest the last Saturday before Christmas.

  By Timothy J. Seppala Read More

• Google will give $1 for special ed every time you use Android Pay

  After Android Pay's slow rollout throughout the US, it's finally available to everyone -- well, those with a compatible device anyway. In the spirit of giving (or trying to get more people using the service), Google has teamed up with DonorsChoose.org to support special needs children in US schools. Through December 31st, Google will donate $1 for every purchase made through Android Pay, with a total of up to $1 million. The idea is to create an interactive classroom environment so kids who struggle to engage aren't left out. What's more, Android Pay will double its donations for every purchase made on Black Friday. As if you needed another reason to spend big on the most insane shopping day of the year.[Image credit: AOL]

  By Christopher Klimovski Read More

• Alphabet wants its startups to behave like companies

  A report from The Wall Street Journal suggests that Alphabet wants its startup-like subsidiaries to behave more like financially accountable independent companies. Alphabet is the recently formed parent of Google, Google X, Fiber, Nest, and other companies previously under the "Google" banner. Under the change, companies like Google X, Calico and Life Sciences will be billed for using services from other subsidiaries.

  By Aaron Souppouris Read More

• Google's made several 'Star Wars' VR experiences for Cardboard

  Turns out there's more to Google's collaboration with Disney for the upcoming Star Wars flick. In addition to dressing up your Google services to represent the side you choose (Light Side or Dark Side, obviously), the two companies (along with Verizon) have developed a serialized virtual reality experience for the Cardboard viewer. The episodes, which were created by ILMxLAB (Lucasfilm's, Industrial Light & Magic's and Skywalker Sound's immersive entertainment laboratory), are directly connected to The Force Awakens. They can be accessed through the Star Wars app for Android and iOS, though you'll have to wait until December 2nd to be able to watch them. If you don't have a Cardboard yet, you can get one right now straight from the Big G. But in case you want to collect anything Episode VII, Google will also start selling four Star Wars-themed viewers on December 2nd in Verizon stores.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Google Street View gives you a tour of ancient Jordan landmarks

  Jordan is home to some extremely significant historical and religious sites. However, visiting those landmarks in person is no mean feat -- which is why Google just added many of them to Street View. Fire up your web browser and you can get virtual, 360-degree tours of more than 30 ancient locations, including the city of Petra (above), Jerash and legendary castles from the Crusades. We suspect that this will pale in comparison to the grandeur of seeing these relics first-hand, but you should at least have an inkling of what the experience would be like.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Google experimented with a Star Trek-style Communicator badge

  Did you ever watch Picard's Star Trek and hope that someday, we too might communicate with just the touch of a lapel-worn gadget? No, we didn't really, either -- Bluetooth headsets quickly poured water on that fire. But, Amit Singhal, senior vice president and software engineer at Google did, and the company even made a prototype. In a report in Time, Singhal describes the never-before-known wearable as a simple Bluetooth device controlled by touch, just like on the show. Once activated, your voice command would be passed to your handset, with feedback delivered by either a small speaker, or headphones.

  By James Trew Read More

• 'Star Wars' promo turns your Google account to the dark side

  One downside of being a billion-dollar movie studio that owns one of history's most popular film series is that it's hard getting the word out about new releases. Take Disney, which is struggling to inform the population that there's a seventh episode of the Star Wars saga coming out in a few weeks. Thankfully, the folks at Google have noticed the studio's plight, and decided to help out by offering customized themes for everyone's favorite internet services.

  By Daniel Cooper Read More

• Teens have trouble telling between Google ads and search links

  You may have have a keen eye for that golden "ad" marker when you're searching Google, but not everyone is so astute. UK watchdog Ofcom has posted a study showing that just 31 percent of kids aged 12 to 15 can tell the difference between a Google search ad and the real results just below them. They also tend to be overly trusting, as 19 percent of those young teens believe that all online results must be true. Not surprisingly, the figures get worse with younger children -- just 16 percent of those aged 8 to 11 know whether they're seeing an ad or a result.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Google to move all of its cloud services under one umbrella

  Google's shuffling its alphabet again. The company announced on Thursday that it will condense all of its cloud-based internet services -- including Google for Work, Cloud Platform, and Google Apps -- under a single company that has yet to be named. "This new business will bring together product, engineering, marketing and sales and allow us to operate in a much more integrated, coordinated fashion," Google CEO Sundar Pichai said in a statement. Former CEO and founder of VMWare Diane Greene is expected to head up the new company.

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• Google Fit gets real-time stats and grabs data from more wearables

  Just in time to outfit your holiday workout regimen, Google its updating its Fit app with a few new features. First, the activity-tracking software now provides real-time distance, steps, pace and calorie stats for your running, walking and riding workouts. When you come to a stop for some push-ups, sit-ups or squats, you can use your Android Wear device to keep a tally of your reps before adding the total to your daily activity log. Google Fit also pulls in sleep and nutrition info from other apps and fitness trackers. If you're using MyFitnessPal (and a host of others) to track meals or Sleep as Android, Xiaomi Mi Band, Mi Band 1S, Sony Smartband 2 or the Basis Peak to keep tabs on how well you're resting, you'll be able access those details for a more complete picture of your overall wellness. Looking to give it a shot? You can grab the latest version of the Android app from Google Play right here.

  By Billy Steele Read More

• YouTube foots the bill for video makers to fight copyright takedowns

  YouTube is no stranger to cases of copyright infringement, and it's lending a hand to video creators who are involved in the disputes. The video-hosting site says that it will cover the legal fees for a few content creators that are fighting the demands of copyright holders with fair use claims. It's only offering support in four cases right now, but the company doesn't rule out expanding that number in the future. By offering assistance, YouTube hopes to not only educate the masses on fair use, but also foster loyalty among users who house their content on the site. "We want, when we can, to have our users' backs," said YouTube's legal director for copyright Fred von Lohmann. "We believe even the small number of videos we are able to protect will make a positive impact on the entire YouTube ecosystem." The new policy also helps combat the takedowns of legally posted content, keeping videos that should be available to the masses online. [Image credit: AP]

  By Billy Steele Read More

• Google now lets you join Hangouts as a guest, no account needed

  The worst thing about organizing an online meeting is squabbling over platform. Should you choose WebEx? Skype? Google? Your decision just got a little easier. As of today, you no longer need to have a Google account to join a meeting Hosted on Hangouts -- just a link.

  By Sean Buckley Read More

• Google search can 'stream' apps to your Android phone

  Ever found something on the web that would be better-served by an app, but didn't relish the thought of downloading the app to give it a shot? Google clearly has: as part of a broader mobile search revamp, it's introducing app streaming on Android phones. Search results from certain sites (such as Chimani or HotelTonight) will give you streamed versions of their mobile apps that let you do everything you need without a permanent download. Think of it as Nextbit's cloud-based app management taken to the next level -- you only need to 'install' that app for that brief moment when you really need it. The feature is still in beta testing with a handful of titles right now, but Google is promising to expand the selection over time.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Google Photos saves space by deleting images you've already backed up

  Google Photos is a handy way to backup and organize images, and starting today, Android users are getting new features to help with the task. First, a "Free Up Space" option in the Settings menu will automatically delete photos stored on your mobile device that have already been backed up in the cloud. To make sure that you don't delete any copies that you might need on your phone or tablet, you'll have to confirm the action before it happens. You'll also be able to nix any photos stored on your device's SD card from inside the app so they won't continue to be visible there. On the web, you can opt for the smaller "High quality" setting after photos have been uploaded in "Original quality." Doing so not only saves space with smaller files, but those files won't count against the storage cap like the full resolution images do. The new features are hitting the app today on Android devices, so you should see the changes soon.

  By Billy Steele Read More

• Google's mobile app answers your complex questions

  Google's mobile search app just got much better at handling the sort of detailed, nuanced questions you'd ask a real human. The Android and iOS software now does more to gauge the true intent of a question, including multi-layered questions that would previously have thrown it off -- ask for the population of a country in a specific year and you'll get the exact number you wanted. The app also understands superlatives like "biggest" or "smallest," and it knows how to deal with ordered items (say, the tallest buildings in the US). Google is quick to admit that its upgraded engine still makes mistakes, but it's good enough that you can expect useful results whether your requests are very specific or slightly fuzzy.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• One Google Glass follow-up reportedly ditches the screen

  Google Glass (aka Project Aura) might not include so much actual glass the next time around. Sources for The Information understand that there are three next-generation headsets in development, and that one of them doesn't have a screen at all -- it's an audio-focused model meant for the "sport" crowd. That sounds like an amped-up Bluetooth headset to us, but we'll reserve judgment until there's something to see... or rather, hear. Don't worry if you still want that signature eyepiece, though -- there's talk of at least an enterprise-focused model with a display, Things are reportedly still up in the air (Google may cut its three models to two), but this could give you an idea of what to expect when Project Aura arrives sometime next year. [Image credit: AP Photo]

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Google rewards restaurant reviewers with 1TB storage

  Did you know that Google has its own, homegrown rival to services like Yelp and TripAdvisor? You do now. The search engine is hoping to improve the quality of its offering by handing perks to its unpaid contributors that keep everything updated. Before, they'd simply be provided recognition for their efforts, but now the firm will hand out some pretty tasty bonuses to those who make the most effort. Every review that you write will earn you a point, as will uploading photos, adding new locations to the database, fixing old errors and answering people's questions.

  By Daniel Cooper Read More

• I let Google's Autoreply feature answer my emails for a week

  Google's Inbox is like an experimental Gmail, offering a more active (or laborious) way of tackling your inbox bloat, delaying and reminding you to respond at a later time. Its latest trick involves harnessing deep neural networks to offer a trio of (short!) auto-responses to your emails -- no typing necessary. Does it do the trick? Can a robot truly express what I need it to, or at least a close enough approximation that I'm satisfied with? I tried it this week to find out.

  By Mat Smith Read More

• Nest is now selling its home surveillance cameras in discounted three-packs

  If you're looking to create a low-level surveillance state within your own home, Nest has a bundle deal for you. Beginning this weekend, Nest will sell its WiFi camera in a three-pack for $497. That's $100 off if you were to purchase the Nest Cams individually for $199. So you can either outfit your house with multiple cameras or give them out as gifts while saving yourself some cash. The bundle is available online at Nest.com, Amazon and Apple.com and in brick and mortar Best Buys and Home Depots.

  By Roberto Baldwin Read More

• Explore 4,500 British Museum artifacts with Google's help

  The British Museum in London holds an array of beautiful and historically significant artifacts including the Rosetta Stone, which helped historians to understand the ancient hieroglyphics used in Egypt. Today, the organisation is teaming up with Google to bring its various collections online as part of the Google Cultural Institute. The search giant has been developing this resource for years by continually visiting and archiving exhibits around the world. With the British Museum, an extra 4,500 objects and artworks are being added to its collection, complete with detailed photos and descriptions.

  By Nick Summers Read More

• Google's 'About me' is your all-inclusive profile for the company's apps

  In its on-going quest to strip Google+ down to its frame, Mountain View has spun yet another feature from the sputtering social network as a standalone item. A new "About me" page is Google's one-stop shop for updating your profile details across the company's arsenal of apps. Changes made here will update how your personal information is display in the likes of Google+, Photos, Drive and more. In terms of what's included, About me displays all of your contact info, education, work history, places, gender, birthday and more. If your Google+ profile is listed as public, the information here, and across Google's apps, will be as well. Not to worry, you can lock down individual cards as private should you choose to do so. The company says it's also working on a way for users to see what their profile will look like to those ogling it. If you're unsure about your security settings across Photos, YouTube and other apps, there's a handy link to Google's Privacy Checkup tool at the bottom of the page. Ready to check it out? You can do just that via the source link below.

  By Billy Steele Read More

• Google makes its self-driving cars friendlier with artist prints and colors

  Google's self-driving car prototypes still look as cartoony as ever, but some of them are now a lot livelier, thanks to the company's "Paint the Town" project. The Big G asked local California artists to submit original works of art that reflect the theme "my community, my neighbors." It then selected 10 winners and two honorable mentions whose pieces now decorate the doors of prototypes being tested in Google's home city. There's an artistic depiction of the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, one that shows the sunset as seen from Highway 101 and another that focuses on neighborhoods' green spaces -- you can see them all right here. The tech juggernaut just wrapped up submissions for its cars in Austin, Texas, as well, so expect to see more colorful prototypes in the future.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Google Maps gets offline search and navigation

  Google Maps is a ridiculously useful app but that's assuming you've got a stable internet connection. As soon as your signal gets a little wonky, however, you might as well still be printing them out like you did in the dark ages of MapQuest. Sure, you've been able to download small maps for offline access for some time now, but the experience has never been that great. That's all about to change because Google announced Tuesday that its briefly teased major revamp for offline Maps is ready for primetime.

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• Google just released new AI software that can learn faster

  Google is ignoring everything the Terminator franchise taught us and is releasing "TensorFlow", open-source software that helps computers learn quicker than ever before. The software is a branch of artificial intelligence called "machine learning," tech that has already found a home in Google Search, Google Photos and Gmail. Tech-giants, like Google, Facebook and Amazon are all working with machine learning to better the services that they offer like smart search, ad targeting and product recommendations. Machine learning is now shifting into a complex realm where researchers are creating computer models that can see and even understand what it's looking at.

  By Christopher Klimovski Read More

• Google's VR for students comes to more cities and countries

  Google's virtual reality education efforts may have only just begun this fall, but they're about to grow in a big, big way. The search giant is expanding its Expeditions Pioneer Program to schools in 12 US cities (including Las Vegas, New Orleans and Portland) as well as three in Canada, Denmark and Singapore. Each school will get a kit with everything it needs to take students on VR field trips, including ASUS smartphones as well as either Google Cardboard or View-Master's device. The project is still far from ubiquitous, but it's big enough to make us a little jealous -- where were these kinds of virtual adventures when we were kids?

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Google explains why some Nexus 5X pictures are upside down

  If you recently splashed out on a brand spanking new Nexus 5X, you might be wondering why some of the images you take aren't the right way up. It turns out that it's a quirk of how the device was manufactured, thanks to a little insight from Google's Eino-Ville Talvala. After users began to complain about the issue on Reddit, the engineer popped up to explain where the problem comes from, and how to fix it.

  By Daniel Cooper Read More

• Google buys Fly Labs, Photos to get in-app video editing

  The team at Fly Labs announced on Friday that Google had acquired their company and will be rolling their image-editing technology into Google Photos. "We'll be pouring the same passion into Google Photos that we poured into Clips, Fly, Tempo and Crop on the Fly," the company wrote in a blog post. Existing users should note that while Fly Lab's existing suite of tools will remain free and available in the App Store for the next three months or so, there will be no more updates. Furthermore, if you've already downloaded the apps, they'll continue to work even after this three-month grace period. You won't, however, be able to re-download them once they've been removed from the App Store so make sure you don't go accidentally uninstalling them.

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• Google is reportedly planning to standardize Android chipsets

  Google is trying to take more control of its Android ecosystem by designing its own chips, according to a report from The Information (subscription). The search giant reportedly spoke with chip manufacturers about building Android device processors with features it covets, like a bigger CPU memory cache, quicker cameras and built-in depth-sensor support. It appears that Google is sick of Android device fragmentation, and feels that current hardware is limiting its ability to bring tech like Project Tango to market. It also wants to standardize Android hardware to better compete in high-end phones with Apple, which has seen record sales with the iPhone 6s.

  By Steve Dent Read More

• Google Drive sends you phone alerts for shared files

  Google is updating Drive with new features, which are especially useful to employees and students that tend to work in teams. You'll now get instant mobile mobile alerts, for instance, whenever someone shares a file or a folder with you. To check out what a team member sent, just tap the notification to take you there. In case someone sends you a link to a file you don't have access to, you don't have to call him up anymore: you can request access with a single click through the Android app, which he'll immediately get as a notification on an iOS or an Android device. Finally, if you're teamed up with someone who refuses to sign up for a Google account despite using an Android phone, don't worry -- he'll now be able to view any file you send, as well. Some of these Drive features may not be available right at this moment, but The Big G says you'll be able to take advantage of them in the near future.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Explore New Zealand's 'Great Walks' with Google Street View

  If you want to take a trip to Middle Earth tonight but don't have a passport, Google's got you covered with a new addition to Street View. The internet juggernaut's partnered with New Zealand's Department of Conservation to use Google Trekker to create some pretty rad 360 degree panoramas of the country's most stunning vistas, the "Great Walks." It isn't the first time Mountain View's gone someplace that inspired a movie before, and hopefully it won't be the last. The real question here is if that's an ent moot off in the distance or just your eyes playing tricks on you.

  By Timothy J. Seppala Read More

• Google engineer takes on subpar USB Type-C cables

  Trying to save a few bucks by purchasing offbrand cables? We've all done it -- but there's something you should know about new USB Type-C connectors popping up on cellphones (Nexus, OnePlus), laptops (Macbook, Pixel), tablets (Pixel C) and even Apple TV. The reason why they can charge so many devices, is their ability to transmit currents up to 3A, which could be 50 to 100 percent more electricity than older standards. That's why Google engineer Benson Leung has been putting various USB-C cables sold on Amazon to the test. He worked on both of Google's recent Pixel devices that use the new cable to charge, and found that many of the cables advertised as Type-C aren't actually suited for use with the laptop. They might not be wired properly to charge a laptop, or they don't accurately identify the power source -- something that could damage your laptop, USB hub or charger.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• Google hopes to reboot its low-cost Android phone program

  Google's Android One program was supposed to help the developing world go mobile and promote 'pure' devices full of Google services, but that's not how it panned out -- the phones flopped as both customers and vendors preferred heavily customized Android devices. However, the search giant may not be giving up just yet. Wall Street Journal sources claim that Google is planning to relaunch Android One in the "coming months" with a more relaxed policy that reflects some lessons learned. It's reportedly loosening the strict hardware requirements, which made it difficult to compete on price and launch phones quickly -- companies now have their pick of multiple parts. That's important in India, where even a small discount can lead to a competitive edge.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Google's Inbox gets a 'Smart Reply' tool that suggests short responses

  Gmail's Inbox app packs a number of features aimed at helping you better tackle your email load. Starting this week, it's getting one more. The new tool is called Smart Reply and it automatically suggests short responses to messages where a lengthy discourse isn't needed. After using machine learning to analyze the emails you receive, Inbox comes up with some appropriate responses to save time by allowing you to respond with fewer taps. And just like it does to wrangle spam, the app learns how you reply over time so it can offer better suggestions the more you use it. Smart Reply will be hitting both the Android and iOS versions of Inbox this week, so keep your eye peeled for the update to arrive.

  By Billy Steele Read More

• Google's VP of design rips into Windows 10 on Twitter

  Shortly after recording his first podcast, Google's vice president of design Matias Duarte has publicly slammed Microsoft and Windows 10 on Twitter. After the latest episode of Joshua Topolsky's Tomorrow went live, Duarte tweeted that he had tried the Surface Pro 4 with Windows 10 -- and that in his opinion, it felt like "XP with a flat design skin." Needless to say, this triggered quite a response from the Twittersphere, and Duarte quickly followed up with: "Windows 10? More like Windows 10 years ago!" The tweets were partly sent in jest, as he later described them as "overly clever tweetbait." However, Google's design lead clearly has some issues with the way Microsoft's desktop OS has evolved. Specifically, Duarte claims he has "no beef" with how Windows 10 looks, and is instead disappointed with how it works. As far as he's concerned, the functionality is similar to the now ancient Windows XP: "I understand that's a feature for many," he later tweeted. "Not for me!"

  By Nick Summers Read More

• Google reportedly abandons plan to open retail store in NYC

  Remember those rumors about Google opening a chain of retail stores? Apparently, it isn't happening -- at least not in New York City. According to Crain's the retail space the company leased (and spent $6 million renovating) in NYC's SoHo district last year is back on the market. If the search giant is opening a retail location, it won't be at 131 Greene Street.

  By Sean Buckley Read More

• Google's 'Project Wing' commercial drone service to launch in 2017

  We've seen Project Wing, the air-delivery service from Google, tap NASA to help sidestep reams of bureaucratic red tape and get off the ground before, and it looks like the service could soon launch in earnest. The outfit's laying the groundwork right now and says that its goal is having the commercial flights up and running in 2017, according to Reuters. The company is one of several working with the Federal Aviation Administration to develop a registry for drones and eventually dedicated air traffic control system. The former would ideally be in place by this December 20th, making sure operators are aware of rules on where, when and how to fly their aircraft.

  By Timothy J. Seppala Read More

• Google swears it won't phase out Chrome OS

  That talk of Google merging Android and Chrome OS, effectively killing Chrome OS as you know it? Google would rather that you forget about all that. In a follow-up to its early rebuttal, the search firm acknowledges that it's working on ways to "bring together" the two platforms, but insists that there's "no plan to phase out" Chrome OS. The web-focused software is still popular in classrooms and offices, Google says, and there are plans to upgrade it with everything from a more substantial Material Design makeover to a new media player. There are "dozens" of Chromebooks launching in 2016, the company adds.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Google app contest winners show what Project Tango can do

  Sure, Google and crew can put together some nice tech demos for Project Tango's advanced depth sensing and motion tracking, but what happens when everyday developers take a crack at it? You're about to find out. Google has announced the winners of its Project Tango App Contest, and most of them aren't what you'd expect given the technology. The overall winner is HeroicArcade's WeR Cubed Tango, a 3D puzzler that relies more on motion than the usual screen taps.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Google thinks it can make translated apps fail less

  While often hilarious, mistranslations can be embarrassing or even dangerous. Google, which is no doubt responsible for a large number of those, has come up with a way to help developers ensure their apps make sense in other languages. The problem is that machines don't understand context -- as an example, Google cites the word "auto," which can be translated to French either as automatic or automobile, depending on how it's used. That prompted the search giant to develop the Language Quality Survey (LQS), consisting of 10 questions that developers can pose to foreign users.

  By Steve Dent Read More

Laptops (2)

• Panasonic makes its 4K Toughpad more film industry-friendly

  When Panasonic's 20-inch, 4K Toughpad tablet arrived to CES 2013, there was nothing even remotely like it on the market. The company did have a method to its madness, however, positioning the then-$6,000 tablet as a bulletproof, strictly-business tablet aimed at industrial CAD designers and graphics pros. It has now updated the Windows 10 Pro device with specs better suited to its price, and aimed it at a new, deep-pocketed market: cinema companies. The $4,229 FZ-Y1D Toughpad model now has HDMI 2.0 input, and thanks to Panasonic's proprietary software, can function as a Digital Cinema 4K (4,096 x 2,160, 60fps) monitor for cameras like Red's Raven..

  By Steve Dent Read More

• That crazy modular hybrid laptop for kids hits Indiegogo

  The intriguing Infinity modular laptop from OLPC's Australian partner, One Education, is edging closer to reality. The organization just launched a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo for its Infinity hybrid laptop, where it hopes to raise $50,000. To recap, the Infinity is a tough Android tablet made specifically for kids (think of it as a spin on the original OLPC XO concept) with replaceable modules for things like its CPU, camera and battery. The idea is that it can be endlessly upgraded (or at least, for as long as One Education keeps developing new modules). The base Infinity configuration includes an 8.9-inch screen, 1.4 GHz processor, 1GB of RAM, 8GB of storage (expandable via microSD cards) and low-res cameras. But going forward, One Education is also working on modules that include faster hardware, Windows 10 support, better cameras and Gorilla Glass screens. You can nab one now for an early bird price of $250, and particularly ambitious folks (and rich schools) can get a 10-pack for $2,390. One Education expects to start shipping Infinity units out next September.

  By Devindra Hardawar Read More

Meta (5)

• Facebook's new alert system warned the US about Iranian hackers

  How do you think the US would find out about a state-sponsored hack from Iran? Sophisticated security software? Surveillance? Nope -- Facebook. According to the New York Times, State Department officials were tipped off about an Iranian hacking campaign thanks to Facebook implementing a government attack alert system just last month. They knew something was up when they got messages about being the victims of "state-sponsored actors." Reportedly, the cyberattackers were hoping to use the social networking accounts of younger government staff to compromise other, more prominent staffers in the government division.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Oculus Concepts collects experimental mobile VR 'games' in one spot

  Virtual reality is nothing if not an awesome font for weird little experiences, but they can be kind of difficult to find. Some are on Steam, some are available elsewhere. Oculus is hoping that Oculus Concepts, its new section of the Gear VR's Oculus Store will make that easier. Concepts, like the name suggests, is a place where developers can toss their games and apps that might not be ready for primetime but are still worth checking out. One of the experiences shown off in official imagery is The Night Cafe: An Immersive Tribute to Van Gogh which was part of the Oculus Mobile VR Jam earlier this year. Like the company notes, some of the biggest VR games hit that status because they were released to the public early. So if you have a shiny new Gear VR and are looking to check out something aside from Netflix, here you go.

  By Timothy J. Seppala Read More

• Facebook is testing a new set of tools for nonprofits

  Facebook wants to make it easier for nonprofits to collect donations and spread awareness of their causes. The social media giant recently announced that it's testing a new feature called "fundraisers", a dedicated channel found on a nonprofit's Facebook page. It lets charities tell their story, gather supporters, collect donations and track progress all from the one place. People who want to help can give money and share the nonprofit's information with their friends, with the existing Donate button included in each shared post, meaning folks don't have to leave their News Feed in order to support a cause. The button is also going to appear at the top of Pages, giving nonprofits more opportunity to raise money. These new features are currently being tested with 37 partner organizations and should expand to others "in the future".

  By Christopher Klimovski Read More

• Facebook expands scope of Safety Checks following Paris attacks

  Facebook originally built its Safety Check feature to help you reassure friends and family in the wake of natural disasters. However, the recent terrorist attacks in Paris, Beirut and beyond have prompted a change of heart. Mark Zuckerberg has announced that Facebook will invoke Safety Check for "human disasters" from Paris onward. Simply put, the social network wants to make the tool available "whenever and wherever" it can help -- the company is aware that its policies have been inconsistent (responding to some tragedies but not others, for example) and need improvement. There's no certainty that Facebook has completely addressed the complaints with Safety Check, but here's hoping that we don't have to find out for a long, long time to come. [Image credit: AP Photo/Peter Dejong]

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• WSJ: Facebook's Instant Articles aren't bringing in a lot of money

  The 20 participating publishers of Facebook's Instant Articles program just aren't getting as much money per post as they do for pieces posted on their own websites. As a result, the social network is now testing new advertising schemes, according to The Wall Street Journal. At the moment, each Instant Article can only have one 320 x 250 pixel-banner per 500 words of content, whereas a publication's website would usually have three to four. Plus, the initiative doesn't allow animated ads. The project's manager, Michael Reckhow, told the WSJ that since receiving feedback from the publishers, Facebook has been experimenting by adding more banners to random pages, even animated and interactive ones.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

Microsoft (17)

• Microsoft updates navigation headset for the blind

  In 2011, Microsoft UK teamed up with charity Guide Dogs to create 'Cities Unlocked,' an organization that worked to create a headset designed to help the visually impaired. That device came last year, but now it's received some major hardware and software upgrades. Although the original simply used bone conduction to send audio clicks and cues to guide the user around, the latest iteration is less of a practical tool and more of an information-rich service. It uses something called "3D soundscape technology," which is kind of like a GPS that describes everything that's around them, from local cafés to alerts telling them when a bus or train is approaching the stop.

  By Christopher Klimovski Read More

• Microsoft's Cortana iPhone app rolls out to beta testers

  Less than a month after kicking off the Cortana for iPhone beta signups, Microsoft has started rolling out the app to people who showed interest in testing it. As TechCrunch points out, the early build is being distributed through TestFlight, a developer-focused service that lets iOS users try applications before their public release. Based on the app's current description, Microsoft is asking testers to set a Cortana reminder on a Windows 10 PC and see how it works with an iPhone, as well as communicate with the virtual assistant and observe how she responds to queries. Back in August, Cortana also arrived on Android via public beta, so it's only a matter of time before Microsoft officially releases it on Google and Apple's mobile platforms.

  By Edgar Alvarez Read More

• Bill Gates is launching a multibillion-dollar clean energy fund

  Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates is set to reveal a massive clean energy project on Monday, during the first day of the United Nations climate change summit in Paris. According to Reuters, which originally reported the news, the French government has confirmed that the ex-CEO-turned-philanthropist will launch the Clean Tech Initiative, a push to commit countries to double their budgets on clean energy tech research and developments by 2020. But Gates won't be working on this multibillion dollar fund alone: The US, Australia, Canada, France, India, Indonesia, Norway, Saudi Arabia and South Korea will all be backing the plan, a person familiar with the matter told Reuters.

  By Edgar Alvarez Read More

• Microsoft rolls out a basic phone that's big on selfies

  Microsoft today introduced the Nokia 230, a successor to the Nokia 130 from last year. In similar fashion to its predecessor, this new handset is geared toward developing markets as well, featuring a straightforward interface and an affordable $55 price tag. The Nokia 230 does look different than the 130, however, with an aluminum back cover that gives it a more premium look. Spec-wise, don't expect to be blown away, since the device isn't designed to compete with the iPhones of the world. You'll find a 2.8-inch QVGA (320 x 240) display, a 2-megapixel front camera (because selfies are important) and support for up to 32GB of external storage (via microSD). There's also a dual-SIM model, appropriately named the Nokia 230 Dual SIM, for people who swap phones or networks often.

  By Edgar Alvarez Read More

• Bing Maps' traffic cam views let you preview your commute

  When you switch on the traffic layer in Bing Maps, you'll now get a lot more info than color-coded route details. On top of letting you know how bad (or good) traffic is along your route, Bing allows you to see where traffic cameras are for a look at that commute. You can also check multiple cameras at the same time if you want to take a glance at the places where you typically encounter delays along the way. Like Google Maps and other navigation apps, Bing Maps already let you know if you should expect a backup, and now you can take a look at the congestion, or lack thereof, for yourself with this latest addition.

  By Billy Steele Read More

• Microsoft app tries to lure you from Android to a Windows phone

  It's true that Windows Phone (and now Windows 10 Mobile) doesn't have as many apps as Android or iOS. However, the perception of that app deficit may be just as problematic -- why would you switch to a Lumia 950 if you assumed that none of your favorite apps had Windows equivalents? Microsoft clearly isn't happy with this state of affairs, as it just released AppComparison for Android to help set the record straight. The app (a spiritual sequel to the old Switch to Windows Phone) tries to match the Android apps on your phone with their mobile Windows counterparts, either giving you an exact parallel or the next best thing.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Microsoft HoloLens to provide AR demos in Volvo showrooms

  Microsoft and Volvo have joined forces, thankfully not for the sake of creating a gaudy car-themed phone, but to equip the automaker's showrooms with HoloLens headsets. Starting next year, Volvo will be able to showcase things not usually possible to demo instantly and indoors -- say, its cars' safety features, such as collision avoidance, and various possible customization options -- through holograms. The two companies have recently exhibited a prototype version of the system at Microsoft's HQ in Redmond using the upcoming S90 luxury sedan as their subject. Thanks to augmented reality, they were able to display not only holographic models of the unreleased car, but also cross sections of its parts.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Bing for iPhone makes it easy to jump from search straight to your apps

  As Windows Phone continues to struggle, Microsoft has turned its focus towards making its trademark services like Office, Outlook and Bing available on Android and iOS. Today, the Bing app for the iPhone is getting a major update to better reflect how users want to search when on their phones, something that's been an increasing priority for Google as well. Ryan Gavin, Microsoft's GM of search, says that when he thinks how about mobile search differs from the desktop, the traditional list of search results that can get you eventually to an answer to a query aren't useful. "I just want an answer," Gavin says, "and I want to take that answer into an action, typically with some sense of urgency." To that end, Bing for iPhone puts the data from Microsoft's Knowledge and Action Graph right up front, alongside deep links right into the apps on your phone that'll let you complete the desired action using the tools you're used to.

  By Nathan Ingraham Read More

• Microsoft uses 'Minecraft' to teach your kid how to code

  You can get kids to do a lot if you promise them Minecraft... just ask parents who've watched their children race through chores to get some building time. And Microsoft knows this, too. It just released a tutorial for Code.org that uses Minecraft to teach the basics of computer programming. Instead of pointing and clicking to smash your way through the landscape, you construct a string of commands using code-like snippets such as "turn left" and "destroy block." This hopefully shows your young ones how programming can be both fun and relevant -- it's not just some boring thing you do to make money. Many students will try this when the next Hour of Code kicks off on December 7th, but you can visit the website today if your kids can't wait to give it a shot.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Microsoft delays tool that will bring Android apps to Windows

  Microsoft has confirmed that a tool that lets Android apps easily run on Windows 10 is "not ready," according Windows Central and other sources. The software giant introduced the Windows Bridge for Android, dubbed "Project Astoria," earlier this year as part of a larger effort to help app-builders easily convert Web, iOS and Android apps to Windows. Developers complained that it still isn't available (unlike the other apps), though Microsoft hasn't said the project is in trouble. However, the Project Astoria forums have gone dark and Microsoft removed the Android subsystem from the last Windows 10 Mobile preview, suggesting it may be killed altogether.

  By Steve Dent Read More

• Microsoft brings its time-lapse video stabilizer app to Mac

  When Microsoft first released its Hyperlapse video editing app, it wasn't clear whether it would ever become available for Apple's devices. The mystery has finally been solved: Redmond has just launched Hyperlapse Pro for Mac, which can process footage captured using phones, GoPros and other cameras. It has the capability to stabilize time-lapses, even shaky ones taken from first person POV, and users can choose their speed, resolution and frame rate. The desktop app will cost you $50, but Microsoft principal program manager Josh Weisberg is confident that the product can compete with similar software. "The Mac has some great video editing tools a lot of enthusiasts and professionals use, and there are other time lapse applications out there," he said, "But nothing as smooth and sophisticated as Hyperlapse Pro." That said, you can try it out for free, so long as you're cool with seeing watermarks on your videos.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Windows 10 focuses on Cortana and Edge in first big update

  Microsoft is rollingout the first major update to Windows 10 for tablets and PCs. The release focuses on improvements to Cortana, Edge and performance. The personal assistant will now track your event and movie tickets, and even monitor travel time and give you a heads up when you should leave. The update also allows you to book an Uber, in case you need a ride to the theater. And for our international friends, Cortana is finally landing in Japan, Australia, Canada and India.

  By Christopher Klimovski Read More

• Microsoft will hand out $500K to these five HoloLens grant winners

  Microsoft put out the call this summer for innovative, academic applications using its HoloLens augmented reality headset, offering $100,000 and two dev kits each to five winning universities. Today, Microsoft named the victorious schools, ranging from Carnegie Mellon University to Clackamas Community College. The winners include a program aimed at "augmenting reality for the visually impaired" and two projects that rely on open-source or collaborative data analysis -- in AR, of course. Plus, Microsoft said it received too many great ideas to stop at five, so it's handing out two dev kits to an additional five universities. The runners-up include a project called "DinoLens" (yes, please), a program focused on helping humans perceive ultraviolet and ultrasonic waves and an app for stroke rehabilitation. Check out the full list of winners below.

  By Jessica Conditt Read More

• Microsoft wants to make Bitcoin easier for banks

  Microsoft no longer solely counts on Windows 10 to pay the bills. With CEO Satya Nadella at the helm, it's also betting heavily on cloud services, and just revealed an interesting new one: Bitcoin-style encryption. Redmond joined forces with startup ConsenSys on a platform called Ethereum to help business to play around with the blockchain tech used in crypto-currency. The move is well-timed, as banks are starting to get seriously interested in BItcoin-style currency. However, Microsoft said that Bitcoin applications are "just scratching the surface of what can be done when you mix cryptographic security [with the] reliability of blockchain."

  By Steve Dent Read More

• Scent-dispensing chips help researchers snap wild wolverines

  Wildlife experts in the US have a cunning technique to track "high-elevation" animals such as wolverines, lynx and gray wolves. Small survey stations known as "camera traps" use tempting scents to lure them in, before snapping a quick shot that can be used for research. The problem? The scent runs out after a few weeks, forcing conservationists at places like Woodland Park Zoo and Idaho Fish and Game to trek out and replace them manually. Microsoft researcher Mike Sinclair has been working with Dr. Robert Long, a senior conservation fellow at Woodland Park Zoo, and Joel Sauder, a wildlife biologist for Idaho Fish and Game, on a solution. The trio have developed an ultra-low power control processor, powered by lithium batteries, that's programmed to dispense just three millilitres of liquid scent through a tiny peristaltic pump each day. Just enough to lure the animals, but more importantly, the hardware can last six to nine months without any maintenance.

  By Nick Summers Read More

• Microsoft gives retailers another year to sell Windows 7 PCs

  If you still want your next PC to run Windows 7, better act soon. Microsoft has updated its "Windows lifecycle" fact sheet, and the last day you'll be able to buy a PC with Windows 7 preinstalled is October 31, 2016. Microsoft would have shelved Windows 7 awhile ago, since it normally sells previous versions just two years after the next one arrives. However, many people treated Windows 8 like it was radioactive, so Windows 7 Professional (OEM) was extended, and will actually come off the market after Windows 8, and on the same day as Windows 8.1. Apart from pre-installed copies of Windows 7 Professional, all other Windows 7 versions are already off the market.

  By Steve Dent Read More

• Microsoft shrinks OneDrive storage for Office 365 and free users

  If you're a OneDrive user, the changes Microsoft just announced for its cloud storage service are almost certainly cutting down the amount of space available to you. Last year it was flying high and announced unlimited OneDrive storage for Office 365 consumer users -- an option that is now disappearing. Now, if you're on Office 365 Home, Personal or University your space is capped at the (still sizable) old limit of 1TB that matches its professional offering, but is a far cry from the 75TB Microsoft claims some were using its service to hold. Next year, both current and new free users will see their available space shrink too -- from 15GB to 5GB -- and the 15GB camera roll bonus go away. There were paid plans for 100GB or 200GB of storage, but they're going away too, with only a $2 per month 50GB plan remaining.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

Mobile (28)

• AT&T hiking price of unlimited data to $35 a month

  AT&T customers who've managed to hold strong to their $30 unlimited data plans since the carrier ended that option back in 2010 are about to get a bit of a surprise. According to 9to5 Mac, AT&T is seeking to increase that $30 a month fee to $35 a month (an AT&T representative confirmed this in an email to Engadget). That isn't much of a jump, but it is the first price increase of the grandfathered plan in years. Still, AT&T is hardly the only culprit here. T-Mobile has increased its unlimited data plan from $80 to $95 a month for new customers (existing customers will still pay the grandfathered $80 a month), Sprint is now charging $70 a month for it and Verizon has upped its own grandfathered unlimited data plan by $20 a month. The unlimited data price increase for AT&T customers will go into effect in February of next year.

  By Nicole Lee Read More

• This holiday, Verizon will let you gift gigs of data for $10

  Verizon announced a new promotion on Tuesday that will allow its customers to "gift" a gigabyte of mobile data to other users on the network. The offer is available through both the Verizon Messages app (in the eGift Catalogue section) and the company's website. The recipient can redeem the gift either directly through the text message or the next time they log onto their account. The $10 charge will appear on your monthly statement.[Image Credit: Getty]

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• T-Mobile will give you an extra $200 to switch from Sprint

  T-Mobile's ongoing feud with Sprint continues to have some benefits for your bottom line... and this time, T-Mobile is trying to tempt you with cold, hard cash. As of November 26th, the carrier is running a month-long promo that promises an extra $200 (on top of the existing credit) for every phone line you bring over from one of Sprint's networks, whether it's a prepaid Boost plan or a full-fledged subscription. You don't need to trade in your old gear, either. The move is a bit sneaky given that T-Mobile just hiked its unlimited data rates -- you may well be paying more per month if you truly need unlimited access. If you're already interested in jumping ship, though, this should make the transition that much easier.[Image credit: Patrick T. Fallon/Bloomberg via Getty Images]

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• O2 also considers blocking phone ads

  More than one UK network is weighing up whether to offer its customers mobile ad-blocking tools. After EE stepped forward over the weekend, O2 is doing the same through an interview with Business Insider. Robert Franks, managing director of digital commerce at O2, says the carrier is "absolutely" looking at the practice. "When I say we are looking at these technologies, we are not just paying lip service to them," he explains. "We are absolutely having conversations which are well-advanced in terms of what that technology would do in our network...and how we would position this with customers."

  By Nick Summers Read More

• EE's tiny 4G lifelogging Capture Cam goes on sale

  Not content with offering a variety of smartphones and tablets, EE has expanded its accessory portfolio with a range of broadband devices and action cameras. We've already met the Action Cam -- basically a GoPro with 4G streaming capability -- but the carrier also recently debuted another, smaller, connected camera: the Capture Cam. It's taken almost a month, but today the pocket-sized snapper has finally gone on sale, just in time for Christmas.

  By Matt Brian Read More

• Square's new reader arrives to accept mobile payments and chip cards

  We've known about Square's new NFC-friendly reader for a while, and now the point-of-sale gadget is available for use. Starting today, 100 merchants in "select cities" (quite a few, actually) will begin accepting NFC-driven payments like Apple Pay, Android Pay, Samsung Pay and those newfangled chip credit/debit cards. The reader is a square pad (of course) separate from the company's usual POS setups and sliding readers, allowing you to hover your phone or insert a card to complete purchase. The unit is wireless and pairs with either a countertop system or Square's free mobile app to handle the transactions. However, the new reader itself will set businesses back $49 in order to get started. For the initial rollout, look for the device at businesses in the following cities: Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, Nashville, New Orleans, New York, Miami, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Sacramento, San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Seattle, St. Louis Tampa, and Washington, D.C.

  By Billy Steele Read More

• EE is considering whether to block ads on customers' phones

  The ability to block online ads could soon come from an unlikely source. Instead of installing a browser extension or a third-party iOS app, there's a chance Brits will be given the option by their mobile network. We've heard rumblings of this before, but now a UK carrier has confirmed it's looking at such a feature; EE's CEO Olaf Swantee tells The Sunday Telegraph he's launched an internal "strategic review" to see whether customers should be given "more choice and control over the level and intensity of ads on mobile."

  By Nick Summers Read More

• FCC Chairman gives T-Mobile's Binge On the thumbs up

  T-Mobile's Binge On feature, which allows subscribers to watch videos from select services without using up their data, has raised eyebrows... and net neutrality concerns. FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler, however, isn't only OK with it, he also praised the plan, according to Ars Technica. "Its clear in the Open Internet Order that we said we are pro-competition and pro-innovation. Clearly this meets both of those criteria. It's highly innovative and highly competitive," Wheeler replied when a reporter asked him about Binge On at the FCC's open meeting for November.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• MetroPCS' new music streaming product doesn't use up your data

  If you're a music-loving MetroPCS customer, you'll want to know about this. The prepaid provider has just launched a new streaming product called "Music Unlimited" that gives you a way to access your subscriptions without going over your data cap. It's pretty much a repackaged version of its parent company's (that is, T-Mobile's) Music Freedom and comes bundled with the provider's $40, $50 and $60 plans. The carrier says it supports over 30 streaming services, including Apple Music, Pandora, iHeartRadio, Rhapsody and Spotify. In addition, MetroPCS has introduced a new feature called Data Maximizer -- its T-Mobile counterpart is Binge On -- that optimizes or crunches videos from select services, so you can watch much more without obliterating your data allowance. When these features go live on November 19th, the carrier will also boost its $40 and $50 plans with an additional 1GB of data and up its mobile hotspot's tethering cap from 6GB to 8GB. [Image credit: JeepersMedia/Flickr]

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Pope Francis: Don't use your phones at the dinner table

  Know who's not cool with you poking at your phone at the dinner table? Your friend who's scowling while you Instagram your food, your mom/dad/significant other shouting at you to put your phone away... and Pope Francis. Maybe it's because the current head of the Catholic Church is tech-friendly -- he even has a Twitter account -- that he knows how addictive gadgets can be. "A family that almost never eats together, or that never speaks at the table but looks at the television or the smartphone, is hardly a family," he said during a sermon at St. Peter's Square, according to the Catholic News Agency. "When children at the table are attached to the computer or the phone and don't listen to each other, this is not a family, this is a pensioner." So, there: if you're the kind of person who hates Facebooking-while-eating, you've found a powerful new ally.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Gogo's next generation in-flight WiFi launches next year

  Gogo's new 2Ku in-flight WiFi might not be as fast as your home internet connection, but it gets the job done -- and a lot faster than current in-flight connectivity. But how much will it cost? When will consumers get to use it? And of course, just how secure is the satellite internet service? For the answers to those questions and more, I sat down at a brief roundtable interview with CEO Michael Small and Vice President of Product Management Blane Boynton at the company's Chicago headquarters.

  By Timothy J. Seppala Read More

• Three UK gifts customers free Deezer music subscriptions

  Deezer's music streaming service has been around for years, but its subscriber base is small compared to Spotify and newcomer Apple Music. Now, the company hopes to grow those numbers by partnering with a UK mobile network -- but this time, it's Three rather than Orange. New and existing customers on monthly and pay-as-you-go contracts, as well as SIM-only deals can get a free six-month subscription to Deezer Premium+. Usually this would cost £9.99 per month -- the industry standard for an ad-free music streaming service -- and is redeemable online starting today. The registration process is a little clunky, but presumably new Three customers will be walked through the process in stores.

  By Nick Summers Read More

• Bluetooth is getting big range and speed boosts in 2016

  If you're like me, you employ multiple Bluetooth devices on a daily basis. From headphones to speakers and household gadgets, the wireless connectivity drives many of our tech habits. Thanks to the Bluetooth SIG, the company that oversees the wireless technology, the connectivity that we use on the regular will be a lot better in 2016. The group announced today that in order to improve the experience with connected devices that fall under the Internet of Things (IoT), its making some big updates. While the changes are aimed at smart home gadgets, industrial automation and location-based services, Bluetooth connections in general will have four times the range and a 100% speed boost without requiring more power. This means faster data transfers for medical uses, for example. The Bluetooth SIG is also working on mesh networking so that a collection of individual devices could work together to blanket an entire area or building. This would have a major impact on homes, with the potential for all of those connected wares to work more efficiently. Of course, it means that setups like iBeacon and Google Eddystone could see improvements, too.

  By Billy Steele Read More

• New T-Mobile customers will have to pay more for unlimited data

  Lost amid the usual T-Mobile hoopla surrounding its latest "Uncarrier" move was a pretty significant price jump for new customers who only need one phone on their plan. Currently, if you go to T-Mobile's site and configure a one-line plan with unlimited data, you'll see it will set you back $80 per month. However, starting on November 15th, a single line with unlimited data will cost $95 per month. That's before any taxes as well as any additional monthly charges you may pay for your phone. This change will come the same day that T-Mobile rolls out its new "Binge On" feature that lets you stream certain video services without it affecting your data cap.

  By Nathan Ingraham Read More

• The mobile world's walls are crumbling

  Ponder the photo you see above for a moment. Yes, that's Apple Music running on a BlackBerry phone powered by Android -- products from three mobile rivals working in harmony. The very concept of this would have been outlandish just a year ago, let alone a few years earlier when these companies were at each other's throats. This is the best sign yet that some of the walls in mobile tech are finally tumbling down. Companies are realizing that they sometimes have to play nicely with each other if they want to succeed... and that's good for everyone.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Virgin Media to increase bundle prices by up to £4 next year

  Virgin Media customers who are signed up to one of the company's "Big Bundles" will soon see their monthly bill get an inflation-busting price increase. The cable provider says "the vast majority" of subscribers will see their packages rise by up to 5.4 percent (between £3.49 and £3.99 a month), which will include a £1 line rental increase. The changes won't happen right away -- they'll come into effect next February.

  By Matt Brian Read More

• Anywhere SIM helps avoid UK 'not spots,' but at a cost

  Whether you live in central London or the northernmost tip of Scotland, you've probably experienced flaky mobile coverage at one point or another. Carriers say they're working to fix the UK's so-called "not spots," but customers continue to complain about dropped calls and sporadic 3G coverage. What's the solution? Blending all of the networks together, Anywhere SIM hopes. The Lancashire company has launched a pay-as-you-go (PAYG) SIM card today that lets you take advantage of O2, Vodafone and EE's networks. Whichever has the best service, that's the one you'll be connected to automatically.

  By Nick Summers Read More

• T-Mobile's 'Binge On' lets you stream video, leave your data untouched

  T-Mobile CEO John Legere is on a bit of a tear over in Los Angeles right now -- after doubling the amount of mobile data T-Mo customers will get as part of the carrier's Simple Choice Amped plans, he confirmed the existence of a Music Freedom-like feature for video services. Long story short, T-Mobile customers will be able to watch video at "DVD quality or better" (480p and above) from 24 streaming services without eating into their high-speed data buckets. And the price? As usual, it'll cost you a whopping zero additional dollars starting on Sunday for people who switch to the company's new Simple Choice Amped plans.

  By Chris Velazco Read More

• Almost every London Underground station now has WiFi

  In case you hadn't noticed, Virgin Media is still expanding its WiFi service on the London Underground. The company says it's recently flicked the switch at 100 new stations, including end-of-the-line stops like Edgware, Cockfosters and Stanmore. That brings its grand total up to 250 stations, which is only 20 shy of a complete roll-out. That's if you're only counting the stations themselves, anyway. It's still basically impossible to connect to the service while you're actually on a train, hurtling down a tunnel. That hasn't stopped people from connecting while they're on the platform or waiting to depart though -- Transport for London (TfL) says daily data consumption has jumped from 3TB to 20TB over the last 12 months, with more than half a million devices logging on each day. It's not perfect, but it'll do until there's finally 3G and 4G coverage below the surface.

  By Nick Summers Read More

• Verizon kills affordable WiFi program for schools in Alabama (update: response)

  Less than a year after starting OmniLynx, a program that provided low-cost WiFi access to schools in Huntsville, Alabama, Verizon is cutting ties with it. As reported by WHNT-TV, the city's education system recently sent a letter to customers notifying them of the network's decision. "We regret to inform you that your wireless service will terminate effective November 30, 2015," read the Huntsville school district's letter. "This termination of service and any resulting inconvenience has resulted from the service provider, Verizon Wireless." With OmniLynx, Huntsville residents would pay roughly $48 per month for unlimited data, powered by a free Verizon LTE hotspot which came included with the contract-free plan.

  By Edgar Alvarez Read More

• School and nonprofit customers stop Sprint from shutting down WiMAX

  Sprint announced back in 2014 that it will shut down its WiMAX data network today, November 6th, 2015. That's not going to happen now, though, because a Massachusetts court has put a stop to the carrier's plans, according to Recode. Judge Janet Sanders has decided that Mobile Beacon and Mobile Citizen -- groups that provide WiMAX connection to schools and nonprofit organizations -- have been able to at least show that they can prove shutting down the network completely constitutes a breach of contract on Sprint's end.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• The US wants the world to offer more airwaves for 5G and drones

  The US doesn't just want to carve out space for 5G cellular service on its own frequencies -- it wants the rest of the world to follow suit. FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler is calling on other countries to free up more of their wireless spectrum for the sake of 5G, drones and flight tracking systems. Ideally, this would create a wide-enough demand for advanced wireless that the economies of scale make sense. Your favorite phone or robot makers might be more likely to embrace the technology if they know that it'll be useful across the planet, rather than one or two regions.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Karma launches $50 unlimited data for its shareable hotspot

  Up until now, the shareable hotspot company Karma has offered internet access one way: Pay as you go for $14 a gigabyte, with free data thrown in when others hop onto your Karma Go hotspot. Now, it's introducing another method called Neverstop, which gives you unlimited internet for $50 a month. You'll be limited to just 5 Mbps download and upload speeds on Sprint's LTE network, but it may be worth paying for peace of mind without data caps. Just like with Karma's initial offering, which is now called Refuel, you'll also be rewarded when other people connect to your hotspot to the tune of $1 a person. With Refuel, you get 100MB of free data when sharing your hotspot.

  By Devindra Hardawar Read More

• Sprint faces 'thousands' of job cuts and price hikes

  SoftBank, Sprint's Japanese parent company, made a ton of profit over the last three months, but not as much profit as people were expecting. That's largely due to it having to carry Sprint on its back, since the network has gone from plucky bronze medalist to sitting in the doldrums of fourth place in America's hotly-contested carrier wars. In order to try and reduce the amount of red printer ink that Marcelo Claure (pictured, right) has to buy, SoftBank has ordered a "sustainable run rate reduction" of more than $2 billion. In other words, the company is about to have to learn how to do a lot more with a heck of a lot less cash.

  By Daniel Cooper Read More

• Hilton and MC Dean fined by the FCC for blocking guests' WiFi

  MC Dean and Hilton have joined Marriott in the FCC's list of companies that block personal hotspots. In fact, the commission has proposed a $718,000 fine against MC Dean, Baltimore Convention Center's sole WiFi provider. The investigation on MC Dean began last year when a company that sells equipment exhibitors can use to set up hotspots in convention centers filed a complaint. Apparently, the WiFi provider charges visitors as much as $1,095 per event for WiFi access, and it has since admitted that its system automatically blocks hotspots by default. Its blocking capability is so powerful, it even affects connections outside the convention center, even those inside passing vehicles.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• AT&T offers its first smartwatches that share your phone number

  If you've wanted a smartwatch that could take its own calls without having to use a separate phone number, relief is in sight... as long as you're willing to subscribe to AT&T, anyway. The carrier has revealed that it will start taking orders for its first two NumberSync-capable smartwatches, the LG Watch Urbane 2nd Edition (above) and Samsung Gear S2, on November 6th. The LTE-equipped LG watch will ship first, arriving in stores on November 13th for either $15 per month (on a 20-month plan) or $200 on a contract. The 3G-based Gear S2 will cost you the same amount when it arrives a week later, on November 20th. You'll still have to tack on $10 per month to your shared data plan to get either watch online, but that could be worth it if you no longer have to worry about missing conversations when you leave your phone at home.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Sprint signs first direct roaming agreement with Cuba

  Not so fast Verizon, Sprint announced Monday that it is the first US carrier to ink a direct roaming agreement with Telecommunications Company of Cuba (ETECSA). This agreement, along with a similar deal for direct long-distance interconnection, means that Sprint customers will be able to use their phones on the island just as they do in the US. According to the announcement, nearly 3 million Americans will visit Cuba this year and that number is expected to balloon to more than 5 million within the decade. [Image Credit: Getty Images]

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• T-Mobile wants to put a mini LTE tower in your home

  T-Mobile has done a fair amount to get LTE into every nook and cranny of its coverage map, but that doesn't matter much if there's still a cellular dead zone in your home or office. You might not have that issue from now on, though. The Magenta network is launching a 4G LTE CellSpot that promises full-fledged LTE calling and data -- you're not making do with 3G here. You only need an LTE-capable phone and a broadband internet connection to fill in those gaps.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

News (96)

• Nokia's next move is VR with this $60,000 OZO camera

  Nokia announced its new hardware a few months ago, and tonight at an event in Los Angeles revealed it's opening preorders for the OZO virtual reality camera. A professional-level device capable of recording its surroundings in 360-degree spherical video, it will require a mere $60,000 -- with $5k down payment up front -- to secure one when shipments start in Q1 2016. The full specs are also out now, revealing it uses eight synchronized 2K x 2K camera sensors, which record to a 500GB solid state drive that can hold up to 45 minutes of footage. Pros like Jaunt are apparently using the new camera for their VR capturing, and now you can too. You can see the full list, along with accessories like its $1,500 docking station on the OZO website, while you ponder what amazing life experiences justify that pricetag.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• Latest batch of Clinton emails may contain classified intel

  The State Department announced on Monday that it will release an email from former-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's private email server that, according to members of the intelligence community, may contain classified information. The email is part of a nearly 8,000-page document dump scheduled for Monday. The State Department has already unveiled around 30,000 pages (of an estimated 54,000) since the scandal erupted in March.

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• TiVo's QuickMode viewing feature hits all Roamio DVRs

  Tivo's QuickMode option, which lets you speed up recorded shows with pitch-corrected audio, is available on every Roamio DVR as of today. The feature arrived last week for the TiVo Bolt, the company's latest set-top box, but it is now officially expanding to the entire Roamio family. TiVo says that, along with the release of QuickMode, it's also making other goods available in today's update. There's a refreshed look and feel in the TiVo Guide, as well as a new setting designed to make it easy for cord-cutters to get access to their content. Of course, the main attraction here is QuickMode -- TiVo says it can "shave a month of time each year" for people who want to watch shows at a faster pace.

  By Edgar Alvarez Read More

• Kobe Bryant decides to announce his retirement online

  Kobe Bryant announced his retirement at the end of the NBA season through the web and social media -- not by press conference. Sure, Twitter retirement announcements aren't a new thing: Shaq did so in 2011, not to mention David Ortiz and Steve Nash. It wasn't a completely Twitter-specific announcement. He linked to his farewell message / poem in full on The Players' Tribune (a site launched by fellow former-athlete Derek Jeter). The site, which allows pro athletes to self-publish (and say what they want to), meant Bryant gets to say his piece -- although it's not specific. That said, it's already been retweeted over 70,000 times, and half an hour later, the NBA followed up itself on Twitter. The response was so strong that Jeter's site crashed under the strain. It's back online now, so if you'd like to see a portrait of Bryant whispering his farewell sonnet into a basketball, here's where to go.

  By Mat Smith Read More

• The Pirate Bay won't be blocked on its home turf

  Numerous countries order their internet service providers block The Pirate Bay, but its home country of Sweden won't be one of them... at least, for now. A Stockholm court has ruled that Sweden can't make ISPs block the piracy site, since those companies aren't responsible for what their customers do. The networks aren't participating in any crimes, according to the ruling -- they're just the delivery medium.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• The AfterMath: A week of excesses

  Too much food? Too many bargains? With a handful of antacids nearby, we hope you've enjoyed this Thanksgiving week. Following in tradition of all that indulgence, we're all about size and excess here at TAM. Nuclear-powered data centers, puffy nuggets of gold, huge numbers of user names hacked... and a suggestion for next year's Thanksgiving dessert. We'd suggest you start making room now.

  By Mat Smith Read More

• Professor saves home with smart sprinklers from 3,000km away

  Deadly bushfires have swept across South Australia this week, destroying countless properties and natural spaces. One ingenious professor was able to save his rural home, however, by remotely activating sprinklers using a smartphone. Simon Maddocks, the President and Vice-Chancellor of Charles Darwin University, had been notified of the fires by friends and messages sent by the Country Fire Service (CFS). He was sitting comfortably in his Darwin office, far from danger, but knew his wheat farm on the other side of the country was at risk. Maddocks started tracking the flames from over 3,000 kilometers away using CFS maps on his phone before connecting to CCTV cameras at his house.

  By Nick Summers Read More

• The Coin universal card is ready for 2012

  If your wallet is bursting at the seams with credit, gift and loyalty plastic, the Coin universal card is supposed to lighten the load. Just add all your information to the app, sync it with Coin and get ready to buy all the things with a swipe or an NFC tap. Except when you can't. While the premise and feature set are intriguing, and in some cases helpful, in practice, it feels like too little too late. With Apple Pay, Android Pay. Samsung Pay and others already working on the future of transactions, Coin might have missed the boat.

  By Roberto Baldwin Read More

• 10 ways to manage the post-Thanksgiving madness

  Ahhh, the holidays. What a lovely time of year to catch up with the extended family and do a quick bit of shopping at enormous discounts. The truth of the situation, however, is often less relaxing than it sounds. Family get-togethers can be taxing, especially when you factor in the state of politics today and the obligatory "drunk uncle." Black Friday (which apparently starts on Thursday now) has become a frantic shopping battle, with everyday folks emboldened by insanely low-priced waffle makers. That's OK, technology is here to help you regain your inner zen. Breathe deeply, try to find a quiet corner and join us in the gallery below for some helpful gadgets to bring you serenity when you need it most: Now!

  By Jon Turi Read More

• How an Existentialist / Tech Geek Disconnects

  I was raised in a household full of computer programmers and engineers, often hearing my parents name drop things like "the mainframe," and "application wireframes." While I didn't grow up to become a software tekkie so to speak, my love for all things technology have been thoroughly cultivated by my career evolution into a multimedia journalist.I spend all day in front of two computer screens, a phone screen, a tablet screen, pretty much any screen I can find. It's intoxicating. The thirst for knowledge, news and information in general is incredibly overwhelming. The way we search for information is almost like an existentialist quest to discover who we are, defining our essence with each successive search. We look downwards at the glowing orb of potential in our hands. We bump into things, not even looking around us, or to see who is there.These are three things that I use to disconnect from technology, even if it is for a few needed moments at a time.1 Running in NatureNothing makes you forget what you're missing in News Feed than your whole body searing with pain, your lungs about to explode, your legs about to break off. Reminding yourself that your body is a machine, not a screen-reader, helps sometimes. If you see wildlife, you'll want to pull out your camera and take a picture of it. Don't—the sounds will frighten the animals and you'll miss the picture entirely. Look at the wonders of nature intensely, and don't blink. Now you're in the moment.2 The Pleasure of PaperSometimes I experience an actual freak out and all I want is a notebook and a pen. A keyboard doesn't always keep up with the rhythm of your thoughts the way a pen, being moved by your own hand, does. Keep a journal. Remember the little moments in your day in between Google searches and news articles.3 BooksWhy have we forgotten books? I always used to say, I would never trust anyone who doesn't read, but now we're all readers online, on our phones. Books smell good. They feel good in your hand, and they have some pretty interesting things to share. Turn off the television and pick up a copy of an old favorite or a new book on something you've always wanted to read. Pretty soon you'll notice that your mind starts creating images by itself, your imagination starts coming back to life. Characters have their own voices, you can smell the countryside. Comic books work just as well, too.

  By Mine Salkin Read More

• Valve's Gabe Newell is backing a smart sous vide cooking tool

  Valve founder Gabe Newell isn't just interested in gaming technology, like living room computers and virtual reality -- he also appreciates the science behind a well-prepared meal, too. The legendary game developer has poured money into ChefSteps to help them make Joule, a smart immersion circulator for sous vide cooking. Instead of fiddling with buttons on the wand to heat your water bath, you use a mobile app to set and monitor temperatures. It has presets for particular food types, and you can even have it change temperatures at different times -- if one guest prefers rare steak while another likes it well-done, you can make that happen. The hardware is small yet powerful, too, packing a 1100W heater into an 11-inch cylinder that can fit into your kitchen drawers.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Dear Veronica: Aural assaults

  #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-432408{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-432408, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-432408{width:570px;display:block;}try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-432408").style.display="none";}catch(e){}Oh boy, get ready for a rant. I've had it up to here (/gestures approximately three inches over my head) with bad listening habits. From middle-aged business men in the United lounge to teenagers at the mall, I'm about done with listening to your music / FaceTime calls / what have you. GET OFF MY SILENT AND PEACEFUL LAWN.Once I'm done table-flipping, we welcome Engadget editor Andrew Tarantola on to discuss the best Android apps for road tripping, and I throw in a few for you iOS fans. We also go over the best way to break bad news to someone, before social media gets to them first!Keep sending into those questions to #DearVeronica on Twitter, and I'll see you next week.Subscribe in iTunes, RSS or YouTube!

  By Veronica Belmont Read More

• TiVo's ad-skipping tech is coming to its older Roamio DVRs

  It looks like TiVo Roamio owners won't need to buy an upgraded box for the new SkipMode feature. Zatz Not Funny points out info on TiVo's website promising SkipMode will come to older Roamio DVRs on December 10th, which the company confirmed in a statement to Engadget. Starting today, a software update is going out that enabled QuickMode sped-up viewing on the Roamio. Meanwhile, a limited test will only let older boxes in the Bay Area and Chicago access SkipMode, for now (it's available nationwide on the Bolt). In case you're not familiar, SkipMode lets users bypass ad breaks on selected shows (prime time broadcasts on certain national networks) just by pressing the green button on their remote. At least so far, it has avoided any legal issues seen by Dish Network's Hopper technology, and hopefully will continue to work as advertised. When I reviewed the Bolt, I found my favorite way to use it was skipping any stray seconds recorded before a show starts, so I could leap to the actual beginning. Update: TiVo has informed us that the SkipMode rollout for Roamio will start November 30th.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• Smart sprinklers only water your lawn when it's thirsty

  Putting your sprinklers on a timer system is probably the best way to avoid under-watering your plants -- but the "set and forget" mentality isn't the most economical. What if it rains during the week and you forget to turn the timer off? Now you're wasting water and drowning your lawn. A company called ETwater thinks it has a better automatic solution: a smart sprinkler that only waters your lawn when it actually needs it.

  By Sean Buckley Read More

• What's on your HDTV: 'Beyond: Two Souls,' 'The Walking Dead,' 'Drunk History'

  If you've already binged through Jessica Jones and The Man in the High Castle (no spoilers please, I'm taking it slow), there's still a few things to look forward to on the holiday weekend. Now that a particular plot point has been settled, The Walking Dead has one last episode before it takes a midseason break. Beyond: Two Souls is back with a new version on PlayStation 4, and Drunk History has its season finale this week. Blindspot and Castle are also ready for winter break, while Dancing with the Stars and Black Jesus are wrapping up their season runs. Look after the break to check out each day's highlights, including trailers and let us know what you think (or what we missed).

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• FAA task force recommends drones over 250 grams be registered

  Private companies including Google, GoPro, DJI, Amazon and others have submitted their recommendations to the FAA concerning drone registration. The group determined that all drones over 250 grams should be registered with the government with an owner's name and street address. During the process there would also be an educational presentation about when and where to fly. The idea is that if one of these flying machines falls out of the sky and causes havoc, the authorities will be able to track down the owner. The task force recommended that registration process be electronic and have an API so new owners could register via the device's app if the manufacturer adds that functionality. If you're curious about the weight limit, the team of companies figured that anything 250 grams and lighter would be unlikely to cause the death or serious injury of a person on the ground. Of course these are only recommendations right now. The FAA still has to implement them. But it's good to know it's talking to the industry about the future of our skies.

  By Roberto Baldwin Read More

• Troublesome details arise about 'Clock Kid' Ahmed's arrest

  The attorney for Ahmed Mohamed revealed new details about the September events in Texas in a letter sent to both school and city officials in Irving, Texas. If you'll recall, Ahmed is the 14-year-old boy who was arrested under suspicions of creating a "hoax bomb," but the device was nothing more than a clock. Early accounts of the events that day detailed one teacher seeing the gadget and thinking nothing of it before a second told him that it resembled a bomb. In a letter of demand, Mohamed's lawyer alleges that school officials never really thought that the clock was an explosive device, as the second teacher didn't initially treat the gadget like she thought it was dangerous. She did escort Ahmed to the office, where the letter alleges that five police officers, the principal and the assistant principal performed an "interrogation." During that time, he was allegedly not permitted to contact his parents and was forced to sign a letter of confession under the threat of expulsion. Eventually, authorities decided not to charge him, but his family says the damage was done.

  By Billy Steele Read More

• 3D printing files for guns are illegal in an Australian state

  The Australian state of New South Wales has made it illegal to possess the blueprints necessary to make your own projectile weapons. Lawmakers have passed an amendment to the Weapons Prohibition Act 1998 that makes it a crime to own information necessary to produce guns, like the Liberator. If a person is found to have "digital blueprints," they could face a prison term of up to 14 years. This goes beyond 3D printers, too, as the law also includes "electronic milling machines" should anyone want to get creative with their nearest CNC.

  By Daniel Cooper Read More

• Two-player synthesizer looks just as wild as it sounds

  Noodling on a synthesizer is normally a solo affair, but Ben Bengler and Fiore Martin have found a way to spice things up. Their Collidoscope lets two musicians play in tandem thanks to the combination of twin keyboards and a clever sample-grabbing mechanism: all you have do is record something and use a hybrid knob/slider to determine what you're sampling. It looks cool (somewhat like a musical, multiplayer Pong), but the big deal is that dueling artists can quickly create a track without breaking their flow. Perfect for live sets, we'd say. The team isn't selling the Collidoscope right now, but there are hints that you'll one day get to buy this competitive composition tool.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• FanDuel warned staff against winning too often on rival sites

  DraftKings and FanDuel may have bitten off more than they can chew when they sued New York to keep their daily fantasy sports games alive in the state. FanDuel's corporate policies from before it self-regulated have been entered into evidence, and some of them only seem to confirm worries about staff abusing their power while playing on rival sites. For a start, the site told workers to "never be among the top five" players on any daily fantasy site, or the top 10 on the tracking site RotoGrinders. They also couldn't have disproportionate numbers of entries in tournaments, and they were supposed to avoid using information on player lineups whenever possible. In other words, don't be too successful -- we don't want you raising suspicions that the games might be rigged.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Shift is a debit card for your bitcoin wallet

  Even though the banking industry and US regulators are getting on board the bitcoin train, actually spending your hard-mined bitcoins can be a bit tricky. Luckily, Coinbase debuted a solution on Friday: the Shift debit card. It's the first such bitcoin-based debit card issued in the US and is backed by VISA. With it, bitcoin users will be able to shop at both on- and offline stores -- basically anywhere that VISA is accepted. The card is linked to your Signing up for the card simply requires filling out this form and paying the $10 issuance fee (in bitcoin of course).

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• Confess: What is your worst tech habit?

  Mine involved a Public Road Disturbance .. 8 Years ago when ever i drive to My Car Sound System is always at Max Volume no matter taxing on the road side or in the middle of Traffic Light and the music i blast can be heard from 700 meters or a mile and everyone within my range feels the Vibrations badly but yet i Ignored. Today when think about what i did back in the days , i could have caused other drivers in a road accident ...i probably even missed it if i did because it was too loud. Whisper: ~ now days i am more to maxing out my volume when watching movies in my room but Ofcus only at day time or at the right time.

  By James Ng Read More

• New Balance unveils its first 3D-printed running shoe

  Following in the footsteps of sportswear rival Adidas, New Balance today introduced its own 3D-printed running shoe. Created in collaboration with 3DSystems, a company known for offering 3D printing tech, New Balance's sneaker features a 3D-printed midsole made from a newly developed elastomeric powder and DuraForm Flex TPU. By using said materials, New Balance says, the running shoe's bottom cushion will be able to provide an "optimal" balance of flexibility, durability, strength and weight -- which, in theory, should make them comfortable for runners, and that's important.

  By Edgar Alvarez Read More

• Daily fantasy sports to stay in Massachusetts with new regulations

  As the likes of DraftKings, FanDuel and Yahoo fight to keep their daily fantasy sites open in New York, they'll be able to do so in Massachusetts. Attorney General Maura Healey announced the first set of guidelines for a state to regulate the fantasy sports games rather than outright banning them. According to the new rules, players in Massachusetts must be 21 years of age and companies who run the games are prohibited from advertising on school or college campuses. What's more, professional athletes or folks with ties to a professional sport (agents, employees, etc.) won't be able to play games that focus on that particular sport. For example, an NFL player couldn't participate in pro football daily fantasy games, but could do so for NBA or basketball-related activities. The regulations won't go into effect immediately, though, as Healey asked for a public comment period and a court hearing before making the new rules official. However, daily fantasy companies could be proactive in establishing the new rules, which Healey said she hopes they would do. [Image credit: Bloomberg via Getty Images]

  By Billy Steele Read More

• Reuters bans RAW photos in questionable bid for authenticity

  News agency Reuters will no longer accept photos shot in the RAW format, saying its freelancers are now required to submit JPEG photos shot in-camera. It told PetaPixel that it made the unusual move partly to speed up workflow, but also because RAW allows photographers to do too much image manipulation, and "our goal is not to artistically interpret the news," according to a spokesman. It said it would only permit images made from the original JPEGs, provided they had just "minimal processing," including cropping and level correction.

  By Steve Dent Read More

• Target and Indiegogo team up to get crowd-funded wares to retail

  When you back a project on Indiegogo, Kickstarter or any other crowd-funding site, chances are you've never seen the product you're putting your faith (and cash) in the flesh. Target and Indiegogo want to change that. The two companies announced that select devices from Indiegogo campaigns would show up in the retailer's Open House connected-home experiment in San Francisco. It's a small step towards giving the folks that can actually deliver their device a chance to show the world, they actually made something that's worth buying.

  By Roberto Baldwin Read More

• ICYMI: Robotic cats, Kickstarter fails and more

  #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-54028{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-54028, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-54028{width:570px;display:block;} try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-54028").style.display="none";}catch(e){}Today on In Case You Missed It: In today's cautionary tale, the recordbreaking drone company Zano Drone is going belly-up after shipping only 100 of the roughly 15,000 drones ordered. Hasbro's latest foray into robotics has us all shouting from the tallest meowtain, because they've launched companion cats that purr and meow and are generally fantastic. NASA's latest robot is less cuddly but perhaps has more scientific importance: The humanoid Valkyrie, weighing in at 210 pounds, will be shipped to US colleges where AI students will develop programs for NASA's upcoming Space Robotics Challenge.

  By Kerry Davis Read More

• The UK government is getting its own 'Air Force One'

  UK Prime Minister David Cameron and cabinet ministers are set to get their very own Air Force One under new government plans. Reuters reports that as part of a spending review due next week, Chancellor George Osborne will announce that £10 million will be spent on refitting a RAF Voyager A330 aircraft (pictured above), which usually operates as an air-to-air refuelling and transport aircraft, so it can be used for official government trips.

  By Matt Brian Read More

• Sky told it doesn't have to give BT a discount on Sky Sports

  BT Sport is no longer the David to Sky Sports' Goliath. When it launched in August 2013, the underdog TV service weighed heavily on less popular football leagues such as Serie A in Italy and Ligue 1 in France. But BT has slowly expanded, spending large amounts for the Champions League, the Europa League and a highly sought-after batch of Premier League fixtures. That's triggered Ofcom to re-evaluate what's known as a "wholesale must-offer" between Sky and BT. Its final decision, announced today, means that Sky is no longer forced to offer its flagship sports channels, Sky Sports 1 and 2, at a discount to BT.

  By Nick Summers Read More

• This new security checkpoint could keep the TSA out of your bags

  At the top of the list of "things that piss off air travelers" is, far and away, the hassle of having a bunch of TSA clownholes rummage through their bags at security checkpoints. However, a new bag-scanning system from Qylur could speed that process up significantly.

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• Ralph Lauren starts testing interactive fitting rooms in NYC

  Ralph Lauren isn't afraid to experiment with new tech. Last year, the brand introduced a smart shirt for athletes, designed to measure performance with conductive silver threads and other tracking sensors. To add to this, Ralph Lauren's announced it will begin testing interactive fitting rooms at its Polo flagship store in New York City. These smart mirrors, created by a startup called Oak Labs, are capable of recognizing a customer's clothing pieces via RFID (radio-frequency identification) tags and displaying these on a large touchscreen. Once that happens, you can request different sizes and colors of items in your possession, which are then brought over to you by a Polo associate. From there you're able to keep trying on different looks or simply check out -- and if you don't speak English, there's support for Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Italian and Portuguese.

  By Edgar Alvarez Read More

• Zano mini drone project shuts down following delays

  The Zano mini drone project held a lot promise: not only was it supposed to make camera drones affordable, but it was Europe's most successful Kickstarter campaign to date. Unfortunately, though, all those hopes have just come crashing down. Torquing Group is shutting down the tiny UAV project and liquidating its corporate assets. Simply put, the company didn't have much choice between delays (Zano was supposed to ship in June) and internal strife -- its CEO had resigned a week earlier due to a mix of health problems and "irreconcilable differences."

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Dear Veronica: Picking your penguin

  #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-288875{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-288875, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-288875{width:570px;display:block;} try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-288875").style.display="none";}catch(e){} Welcome back to another episode of Dear Veronica! This week, we have some great responses from you guys from our most recent "Question to the Crowd" from Tiyana. Watch to see how you guys think we should handle cross-timezone texting! Viewer David also has a question about which Linux distro is the best in terms of privacy and usability, and to answer that one we have Engadget editor Terrence O'Brien on give us the details. To wrap everything up, we have a Lightning Round! Make sure you keep sending on in those questions to me via Twitter using the hashtag #DearVeronica, or send me in a video question! See you next time.

  By Veronica Belmont Read More

• The UK is closing all of its coal power stations

  The UK's last fifteen coal power stations are to be closed within the next decade under new government plans. In an announcement, Energy and Climate Change Secretary Amber Rudd confirmed that in a push for more "secure, affordable, and clean energy supplies," restrictions will be placed on all coal-powered installations by 2023, ahead of a full closure by 2025.

  By Matt Brian Read More

• What's on your HDTV: 'High Castle,' 'Jessica Jones,' 'SW: Battlefront'

  This week two of the biggest releases come from streaming services. Netflix premieres its second Marvel series with Jessica Jones, while Amazon Prime has its adaptation of a Philip K. Dick novel, The Man in the High Castle. Both have looked good in early previews, but until they launch Thursday morning, we're focused on the games. Star Wars: Battlefront is here, along with the final episode of Telltale Games' Game of Thrones series. Finally, movie fans may want to check for The Collected Works of Hayao Miyazaki on Blu-ray. Look after the break to check out each day's highlights, including trailers and let us know what you think (or what we missed).

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• Commerce Department gets its first ever Chief Data Scientist

  Want proof that US officials are taking data seriously? Just look at the Commerce Department. It's following in the White House's footsteps by hiring its first ever Chief Data Scientist, Jeff Chen. He'll make sure that the department is making the most of data across the many, many fields it covers: he could improve predictions for severe weather, for example, or help modernize the US' creaky patent system. Chen certainly has the experience to back it up, having worked with everyone from NASA to the White House's own Office of Science and Technology Policy. There's only so much he can do in the new role, but it won't be surprising if he gets the wheels of government turning considerably faster. [Image credit: Getty Images]

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Parrot's Bebop 2 drone doubles flight time to 25 minutes

  If you haven't already bought one of the hundreds of drones that seem to be filling the market, Parrot has a new version of its personal flying camera. The Bebop 2 now has a 25 minute flight time which is more than double the 12 minutes of the previous version. It sports a 14MP fisheye-lens camera and 8GB of onboard flash storage. To make sure the videos are sharp, all the image stabilization is done with an software image processor instead of mechanical to keep the weight down. The new quad-copter is also faster than its predecessor hitting 37 miles per hour. The first Bebop topped out at 24 miles per hour. All that speed and flight time will cost you though. At $550 it's not exactly something most folks would buy for their kids for the holidays. But if you're in the giving mood, the Bebop 2 will be available on December 14.

  By Roberto Baldwin Read More

• UK lads mags FHM and Zoo to disappear from shelves

  For many young men growing up in the nineties and early noughties, FHM and Zoo were the very definition of "lad culture." Bedroom walls across Britain used to be filled with blu-tacked pages of scantily-clad models, but with sales dwindling, the time of the lads magazine is coming to an end. Bauer Media, owner of both brands, said today that the two men's properties will cease publication at the end of the year.

  By Matt Brian Read More

• Volta Flyer is a solar-powered build-it-yourself toy plane

  Kids have much, much fancier toys to play with these days. The Volta Flyer is one of them: it works kind of like a paper plane, except it's made of sturdier materials and has a solar panel to keep it flying for at least 30 seconds. If the ToyLab team reaches its $39,000 goal on Kickstarter, backers who pledge $40 or more will get a kit comprised of a fuselage, motor and propeller, a thin silicon solar panel and stabilizers. Once the components are all pieced together -- and this could take less than 20 minutes, ToyLab says -- the plane can then be charged by holding it up to the sun for 90 seconds before hand launching it into the air. According to its campaign notes, ToyLab's goal is to give kids "practical insights into STEM" by having them build the plane themselves... though there's absolutely nothing preventing grown adults from getting their own.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Nest's latest thermostat comes to the UK with hot water controls

  A month after its US launch, Nest's third-generation thermostat has arrived in Britain. The hardware might look familiar, but it has a few extra tricks that separate it from previous versions and even its counterpart across the pond. For starters, Nest has given the circular design a nice little spec bump; compared to its predecessor, the thermostat has a larger (2.08 inches), brighter and pixel-dense (229ppi) display, making it easier to scroll through the interface with sleep-deprived eyes. The device's entire body is also slightly thinner, meaning it should look just a smidge more attractive in a hallway or living room.

  By Nick Summers Read More

• Oxford Dictionaries' Word of the Year is... an emoji

  Oxford Dictionaries' Word of the Year is as much about capturing the cultural zeitgeist as it is reflecting the evolution of the English language, and that's truer than ever in 2015. For the first time ever, the institution chose emoji (the "tears of joy" icon you see above) to win the honor -- yes, actual words lost out. It's an odd decision, to put it mildly, but Oxford notes that the use of the word "emoji" more than tripled in the space of the past year, and the tears image was the most popular emoji worldwide.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• DraftKings, FanDuel and the feds: The daily fantasy story so far

  This season, if you're a sports fan or are even sports fan-adjacent, two words have become nearly inescapable: daily fantasy. The suddenly booming industry has steamrolled TV, radio and the internet with ads promising that playing this "game of skill" can turn your intimate knowledge of sports into big bucks. Its annoyingly bombastic ads alone are enough to make anyone skeptical, since even in this fantasy not everyone can wind up an instant million dollar winner. All of the publicity has worked in FanDuel and DraftKings' favor, making daily fantasy games more popular than ever. That is, until a leak that showed the possibility of insider trading sparked a backlash. Now daily fantasy has the full focus of powerful government figures who may decide if the games will continue.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• Indiegogo and Brookstone want to deliver crowdfunded products faster

  One of this biggest issues facing crowdfunded products is the amount of time between backing a project and when you actually receive the goods. Indiegogo is looking to do something about that with the help of the tech-minded retail store Brookstone. Aspiring startups and makers can submit ideas to a specific page of Indiegogo's site where the retailer will offer design, manufacturing, packaging, distribution, sales and customer support to selected projects. As you might expect, Brookstone won't just back any ol' idea, as the store is looking for items that fit its reputation for technology, wellness, home and travel wares. There will also be a "Funded with Indiegogo" section of the company's retails stores that'll include products like the Fizzics beer dispenser and Axents's Cat Ear Headphones. The partnership seems like a win for both companies as Indiegogo's inventors have the opportunity to tap into an established product chain and Brookstone can use the crowdfunded projects to stock its shelves with new items. [Image credit: LA Times via Getty Images]

  By Billy Steele Read More

• Lowe's updated connected home system is built for your phone

  While most connected home devices on the market were introduced as mobile-first solutions, the Lowe's Iris system on the other hand, required new users to set it up via a browser. After set up -- while the mobile app was able to share status information and access features like turning items on and off -- it was still a desktop-heavy setup. Today the hardware store-turned developer is fixing that with a new platform built from the ground up with a mobile-first strategy and updated devices.

  By Roberto Baldwin Read More

• Airbnb helps Paris attack victims' families find free places to stay

  Facebook isn't the only internet giant offering a helping hand in the wake of the Paris terrorist attacks. Airbnb has launched a portal that helps anyone affected by the attacks find (or offer) a free place to stay. If you're determined to meet with a family member or got stuck in the city during border closures, you won't have to pay a thing -- Airbnb is waiving its service fees at the same time. You have to check in no later than November 17th, but that's about the only condition involved.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• The After Math: On the road again

  Forget robot chauffeurs, our future ground transports won't even need drivers to start with. Between their LIDAR arrays and digital mapping technology, autonomous vehicles are getting safer, more capable and -- dare we say it -- more attractive by the day.

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• Tech has a diversity problem, and that problem is culture

  I've heard it before and so have you. We need more women in tech. We need more minority engineers. Everyone from Jesse Jackson and even President Obama has made a call for more inclusive policies in tech companies. But it still hasn't happened. You need only look at the recent numbers released by Google, Facebook and Apple to see that white men still top the charts when it comes to their employee count. It all seems hopeless. Leslie Miley, who was the only black engineer in a leadership position at Twitter up until a couple of weeks ago, must have felt so too. In a blog post on Medium, he explained that he left the company because he felt defeated in his efforts in trying to increase and encourage company diversity. The problem: Culture.

  By Nicole Lee Read More

• Broadband for the people, built by the people

  Competition is good, especially when it comes to internet service providers. Unfortunately, it's also rare. According to the White House's community-based broadband report released earlier this year (PDF), 75 percent of customers looking for internet speeds of 25Mbps or higher had a choice between one provider or no service at all. It's especially bad for rural communities, where there's little incentive for major telecommunication networks to bother running lines. Fortunately, people across the world are beginning to take matters into their own hands, investing in municipally-owned companies to build out necessary services. The results often provide faster connections at lower prices than large ISPs would have offered and they frequently turn a profit. Although the FCC has voted to support net neutrality and preempted a few state laws that limit public expansion, lobbyists for large networks are trying to stifle development and 19 states still have restrictive laws in place. The struggle is real, but adequate broadband is essential in modern times. This week we've sampled a few community initiatives that've succeeded in taking control of their own connective destinies in the face of corporate lethargy.

  By Jon Turi Read More

• ICYMI: Seeing CO2 from space, best arena selfie and more

  #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-520649{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-520649, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-520649{width:570px;display:block;} try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-520649").style.display="none";}catch(e){}Today on In Case You Missed It: An app that syncs up with robotic cameras in sports arenas is up and running in a few locations in California. With it, attendees can get photos of themselves at the game after entering their seat number in the free app. NASA is beginning a long-term study into CO2 absorption on the earth, with the hopeful goal of better sequestering and controlling greenhouse gases. And a new report is out on the fluorescent eel discovery of 2011. While the same marine biologist has just discovered a fluorescent turtle, the eel report says the neon was likely selected to attract a mate.

  By Kerry Davis Read More

• Audioengine's HD6 powered speakers pack Bluetooth and a built-in amp

  If you're not familiar with the name Audioengine in regards to speakers and other audio gear, allow us to introduce you. The company may not be a big-name brand, but it has a knack for stellar sounding tech. Adding to its arsenal this week, Audioengine debuted the HD6 powered speakers. Inside the dapper wood veneers and magnetic speaker grilles, there's a built-in amplifier, 24-bit optical input from the company's D1 digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and high-fidelity Bluetooth with aptX. Audioengine says it took pieces from some its best-selling gear and combined them with its signature sound inside the new retro-styled cabinets. All of the usual connections and remote control are there as well, making the HD6 a solid option for handling the audio from your mobile device, turntable, television and more. In addition to the aforementioned walnut and cherry wood finishes, you'll also have the option of satin black. The Audioengine HD6 speakers are available now for $749, so get ready to empty your piggy bank.

  By Billy Steele Read More

• Chinese-owned Vertu vows to keep making luxury phones in the UK

  It's been a little over a week since Vertu announced that it is now under full ownership of Hong Kong's Godin Holdings. Which, as we found out, is linked to Godin Cyberspace Security Technology -- aka GodinSec from mainland China. This raised two questions: Will Vertu be ditching its "Handmade in England" slogan in favor of the classic "Made in China?" And does Godin intend to make use of its own secure smartphone OS on future Vertu devices? The short answer to both is no, according to the newly appointed CEO Billy Crotty.

  By Richard Lai Read More

• DraftKings and FanDuel sue to stop New York Attorney General's ban

  Following New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman's request for daily fantasy sports sites DraftKings and FanDuel to stop operating in his state, the two sites filed a lawsuit against the AG. Filing a petition with the New York Supreme Court, both sites allege that Schneiderman's office illegally interfered with their business operations by threatening payment processing vendors if they didn't stop handling transactions for players in New York. The Attorney General also declared the two illegal gambling sites earlier this week, threatening to ban them if they didn't stop operations. The companies maintain that their version of fantasy sports do indeed require skill rather than luck, which separates them from regular ol' gambling.

  By Billy Steele Read More

• SXSW removes Gamergate panel from online harassment day

  The organizers of South by Southwest have been dealing with significant backlash after cancelling a panel dedicated to overcoming the rampant harassment culture that has cropping up around video games in the last few years. Today, SXSW has confirmed that the previously-cancelled "Level Up: Overcoming Harassment in Games" session will be part of its March 12th Online Harassment summit. That summit was created following swift negative feedback over SXSW's decision to cancel the Level Up panel after it received threats of on-site violence. It also announced that it's moving a pro-Gamergate panel off of the online harassment day, as the panel doesn't directly deal with harassment.

  By Nathan Ingraham Read More

• KFC's fried chicken delivery will have you licking your fingers in no time

  If you've got a hankering for a bucket of the Colonel's Original Recipe, KFC will now bring the goods to you. The purveyor of fast-food fried chicken is partnering with DoorDash to offer delivery. Once your order is placed via apps on Android, iOS or the web, DoorDash will make sure your $5 Fill Up or $20 Family Fill Up arrives in a timely fashion. Expect to pay a delivery fee between $5 and $7, though, and menu items will cost more than if you visited a physical location. KFC tapping DoorDash for its delivery service isn't too surprising, as the delivery company already handles food drop-offs for Taco Bell which also falls under the YUM! Brands umbrella. KFC delivery is available now in San Francisco, Los Angeles and Orange County with expansion to other markets expected in the coming months. [Image credit: Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images]

  By Billy Steele Read More

• Airbnb promises to work more closely with cities on home rentals

  To say that Airbnb's relationship with cities is sometimes confrontational would be an understatement. At times, it's practically contemptuous. The home rental service is trying to offer an olive branch, though -- it just posted a Community Compact that promises a better relationship with the cities where it operates. Airbnb is promising to communicate with each city on a case-by-case basis, and make sure that it pays its "fair share" of taxes. It's also vowing more transparency, and to encourage "responsible" home sharing (such as discouraging people who turn homes into permanent hotels).

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• In-N-Out Burger sues food delivery service DoorDash

  In-N-Out Burger has sued on-demand food delivery service DoorDash due to food handling and safety concerns, according to TMZ. A part of the filing obtained by TechCrunch explains that the food chain isn't happy that DoorDash is using its trademarks, when it has no control over how its food is handled and how much time passes between the purchase and the delivery. Further, the delivery service's website is using In-N-Out's logo without permission, even if the restaurant previously asked for it to be pulled down more than once.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Someone crashed a drone into Seattle's Great Wheel

  Tonight Seattle news stations are reporting that someone hit the Great Wheel ride with a drone (hopefully it's not one of Amazon's). There were no injuries or damage to the Ferris Wheel, while the drone apparently crashed onto the patio of a nearby restaurant. According to KIRO 7, the owner of the drone has not been located, something the Department of Transportation probably thinks that its plan for a national drone registry could help solve. On YouTube there are a number of videos from people safely flying drones around the massive ride, but incidents like this show how a few careless owners may ruin the hobby for those that operate their aircraft responsibly.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• Watch Philips and Rudimental meld smart lighting with music

  If you were making connected lighting, how would you convey the concept to the public? Philips thinks it has a way. It just launched the Living Light Sessions, a series of performances that has musicians putting on a light show with Hue bulbs while they play. The music is great, as an inaugural video from UK outfit Rudimental shows, although the link between music and smart lights is a bit strained -- while Hue is supposed set a "laid-back mood" for the gig, it mostly amounts to a lot of blue and purple in a studio. If nothing else, though, this could serve as a friendly reminder that Philips' technology is good for more than just impressing your friends.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• US trade agency isn't allowed to block overseas internet data

  If you've followed the smartphone patent wars, you know that the US International Trade Commission is a force to be reckoned with -- copy someone's product and you could face a sales ban. Its authority apparently doesn't extend into the digital realm, however. An appeals court has ruled that the ITC can't block internet transmissions from other countries when it hands down a ruling. The court argued that there's a "fundamental difference" between data and material goods, and that the ITC's authority only covers physical objects.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• US prisons allegedly record more inmate calls than they should (update: response)

  It might not just be everyday people who've been subject to illegal surveillance -- prisoners may be victims, too. An anonymous hacker has given The Intercept phone records showing that prisons have recorded "at least" 14,000 calls between inmates and lawyers through software from Securus. As you might imagine, that potentially represents huge violations of both the attorney-client privilege and Sixth Amendment protections against interference with your right to counsel. Prosecutors could use these recordings to cheat at trial by getting case details that they're not supposed to know. In fact, a recent Austin lawsuit accuses Securus of contributing to just that kind of trickery.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Roku's new media player will cost you just $25 on Black Friday

  Roku may have poured a lot of energy into its spiffy new 4K player, but it's not forgetting the budget crowd. The company has unveiled the Roku SE, a TV streaming box aimed at those who only want the basics. It's not that much different than the Roku 1 aside from shipping with OS 7 from the start, and it supports the same 1080p playback, video output (HDMI and analog) and media casting features. No Ethernet or sophisticated remote here, folks. However, you might not mind any omissions when you see the price. The SE will officially sell for the same $50 as the Roku 1, but it'll be available for just $25 on Black Friday, November 27th -- that's less than a Chromecast. If you're determined to put Netflix on that old TV in the basement, this may be the cheapest way to do it.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Dear Veronica: Self-promotion advice with John Scalzi!

  #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-503259{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-503259, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-503259{width:570px;display:block;} try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-503259").style.display="none";}catch(e){}Happy Wednesday, everyone! We've got a few fantastic questions this week, starting with this question about self-promotion! #DearVeronica ,In this tech age, how should a novice novelist make an impression and promote his book to grab attention of a lot of people? — Rajat Joshi (@MrRajatJoshi) August 14, 2015 John Scalzi, author of some of my favorite books, is here to help Rajat out! In the meantime, I tackle some questions about my favorite audio ripping software, and the best way to clean a very "grody" Macbook Air screen. Keep those questions rolling on in to me by using the hashtag #DearVeronica on Twitter! See you next week.Subscribe in iTunes, RSS or YouTube!

  By Veronica Belmont Read More

• TalkTalk offers all customers a free upgrade to stop them leaving

  After totting up the final number of customers involved in its October cyberattack, TalkTalk has begun laying out what it will do for those affected and how it expects to recover. In a trading update today, the company said it expects damages to cost between £30 million and £35 million as it copes with a "loss of online sales and service capability" following the October 21st hack. With four arrests in the bag and systems now back online, TalkTalk also said it will offer "free upgrades" to all customers, whether they've been affected by the hack or not.

  By Matt Brian Read More

• Politician wants to give 200 NYC trees email addresses

  You read that right: Upper West Side Councilmember Mark Levine plans to give 200 trees in New York City their own email addresses. His spokesperson, Tyrone Stevens, told Gothamist that the goal is to deepen "public engagement with the trees" -- we're guessing the politician believes residents can connect more personally with them that way. People, however, are welcome (encouraged, even) to report a tree's plight, such as broken branches, blight and rotting parts, by sending it an email. Levine himself told the publication that the project's only expense should be the creation of the signage that will display the chosen specimens' email addresses, prominently installed on or near them.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• FanDuel and DraftKings are getting shut down in New York too

  The New York Times and ESPN are reporting that New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has followed his counterpart in Nevada by asking the two biggest daily fantasy sites to stop taking bets in his state. DraftKings and FanDuel have been struggling to escape a controversy that exploded when reports surfaced that employees were regularly playing, and winning, on the competing websites, and now are facing a future of tighter regulation. According to the letter Schneiderman has decided the games constitute illegal gambling under the laws of New York, and should be banned as games of chance. This is particularly complicated for FanDuel, which has its headquarters in New York. Update: DraftKings said in a statement to Engadget that "We strongly disagree with the reasoning in his opinion and will examine and vigorously pursue all legal options available to ensure our over half a million customers in New York State can continue to play the fantasy sports games they love." Meanwhile FanDuel says, "The game has been played -- legally -- in New York for years and years, but after the Attorney General realized he could now get himself some press coverage, he decided a game that has been around for a long, long time is suddenly now not legal." You can read both statements -- along with a quote from AG Schniederman -- in full after the break.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• 'Star Wars' characters are teaching kids to code

  Code.org has teamed up with Disney for a Star Wars-themed 'Hour of Code' project to teach kids computer programming. Given the hype around The Force Awakens, that's quite a coup for the organization and is a good way for Disney to remind kids that the film industry employs a lot of coders (and sell them merchandise, of course). "Hundreds of computer engineers work together to make film like The Force Awakens," said Star Wars producer Kathleen Kennedy. As such, Lucasfilm and Disney loaned its characters to the effort, produced several short video tutorials and also donated $100,000 to help Code.org expand to more US schools.

  By Steve Dent Read More

• Engadget giveaway: Win a GoPro Hero4 Black courtesy of Leef!

  Expandable storage and iOS devices rarely go hand-in-hand, but Leef has bridged the gap with its iAccess microSD card reader. This plug-and-play accessory works in tandem with Leef's MobileMemory app to let you quickly transfer files to and from your iPhone or iPad. It should drastically expand your capacity for large files, especially video, without maxing out onboard memory. You can even record directly to microSD with iAccess. This week, Leef has provided us with a GoPro Hero4 Black, an iAccess reader and a 64GB card for one lucky winner. Any footage you capture on the action camera can easily be flipped to your mobile device for previewing or editing on-the-fly. All you need to do is head down to the Rafflecopter widget for up to three chances at winning. Winner: Congratulations to Lucas E. of Boulder CO!

  By Jon Turi Read More

• Sonos' automatic speaker tuning feature is available today

  Sonos' new automatic tuning feature Trueplay is rolling out to the masses. The software addition adjusts the strength of various frequencies in order to compensate for a room's poor acoustics or an ill-placed speaker. The idea is that Sonos speakers should output undistorted music no matter where you put your them. Trueplay has been in private beta since October, but today is the day that it's widely available to anyone with a compatible Sonos speaker.

  By Aaron Souppouris Read More

• Asda ditches the Black Friday hell it helped create

  Like Father's Day, Britain has accepted another US tradition into its heart: Black Friday. By accepted, we mean coming to terms with fighting off a marauding gang of supermarket bargain hunters to get their hands on a £99 Polaroid TV. This year's shopping event is only a couple of weeks away, but already some big-name retailers are withdrawing their support. Despite helping to introduce the concept in the UK two years ago, BBC News reports that supermarket chain Asda won't be holding Black Friday sales come November 27th.

  By Matt Brian Read More

• A university is digitizing thousands of wax cylinder records

  The University of California, Santa Barbara has an alternative for those whose unusual musical needs can't be fulfilled by Spotify and similar services. Its library has been digitizing cylinder recordings of 19th to 20th century music, and so far, the official UCSB Cylinder Audio Archive website already has 10,000 tracks you can stream. The library's latest addition to that pile is comprised of 150 two- to four-minute recordings of Everlasting celluloid cylinders. The cylinder format, which looks like an empty toilet paper roll, is a type of recording medium before the more familiar phonograph record overtook it in popularity.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• What's on your HDTV: 'Fallout 4', 'Better Call Saul' Blu-ray

  This week's big release is Fallout 4, which takes gamers back to its familiar post-apocalyptic setting. There's also a new StarCraft II entry with Legacy of the Void, and Rise of the Tomb Raider arrives on Xbox platforms. Netflix has a new series from David Cross and Bob Odenkirk, while the latter's Better Call Saul series arrives on Blu-ray. Also on Blu-ray this week for the first time is Bad Boys II, while Into the Badlands premieres Sunday night on AMC. Look after the break to check out each day's highlights, including trailers and let us know what you think (or what we missed).

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• Inhabitat's Week in Green: Obama's Keystone XL pipeline veto

  The world's oceans contain an immense amount of energy -- and this week two pioneering projects sought to unlock it. First Australia announced the world's first wave energy microgrid, and then Scotland gave the green light to construct the largest floating wind farm on the planet. Germany is betting big on clean energy: The nation just announced that it's on track to produce 33 percent of its electricity from renewable sources this year. Meanwhile, Sweden is moving ahead with plans to become the world's first fossil fuel-free nation by the year 2050, and President Obama officially vetoed the Keystone XL pipeline ahead of the Paris climate change conference.

  By Inhabitat Read More

• BuzzFeed returns to SXSW lineup following online harassment fiasco

  BuzzFeed said it would only come back to the South by Southwest festival panel roster if organizers put online harassment back on the agenda, and it's making good on its word. The web firm tells Recode that it's returning to SXSW 2016's lineup now that the event has instituted a day-long Online Harassment Summit. The SXSW team has "moved in the right direction," BuzzFeed says. There's no word yet on whether or not fellow abstainer Vox Media is returning, although it won't be surprising if the online publisher follows suit.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• FCC refuses to force websites to honor Do Not Track requests

  The FCC has dismissed a petition filed by California nonprofit Consumer Watchdog, asking the commission to require "edge providers" to honor Do Not Track requests. The group named Google, Facebook, YouTube, Pandora, Netflix and LinkedIn as examples of edge providers, which means it wants these websites to allow people to use their services without giving them their data in exchange. See, even if you enable your browser's Do Not Track option to opt out of third-party tracking by advertisers and the like, websites can choose not to honor it. If the petition passed, it would have changed that.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• The federal prison bureau needs help stopping contraband drones

  The Federal Bureau of Prisons issued a Request for Information on Wednesday soliciting ideas and proposals for "countering, mitigating and/or interdicting the impact and possible nefarious intent of unmanned aerial systems." That is, the Feds need some help countering the drones they suspect are routinely delivering drugs, weapons and other contraband into America's 122 prison facilities.

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• Kickstarter's 9.5 million users have pledged over $2 billion

  You may hate how crowdfunding websites are being used for pre-sales, but Kickstarter's new numbers report makes it clear that a lot of people don't mind the practice. The website has announced that it has reached $2 billion in total pledges on October 11th, over six years after it went up in 2009. Moreover, it took four years and 10 months to reach a billion (with users pledging an average of $391 per minute), but only a year and seven months to reach the second billion (pledges per minute averaged $1,182 within that timeframe). The sharp increase in the amount of pledges started around the time the website announced that it's simplifying its rules of submission.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Immerge is a ball of Lytro cameras for VR video

  Lytro first made a name for itself with a small rectangular camera that did one magical thing: It allowed you to refocus photos after you've taken them. It did this trick thanks to some complex software and the camera's unique light field technology that captures millions of rays of light. Last year, Lytro applied its light field technology yet again with the Illum, a DSLR-like camera with an even larger image sensor and more robust hardware. Over the past year, however, Lytro has been hard at work applying its light field expertise in a whole new arena: Virtual reality. Today, the company has announced the result of that work. It's called the Lytro Immerge, and it's the essentially what Lytro is calling the first ever light field powered professional VR capture camera.

  By Nicole Lee Read More

• Sony's entry-level Alpha A68 has '4D focus' for low light

  Sony just reminded us that it makes more than mirrorless and compact cameras by launching the Alpha A68, an A-mount model with a 24-megapixel APS-C sensor. As with Sony's APS-C Alpha A77 II and full-frame A99 models, it uses a hybrid electronic OLED viewfinder with 100 percent coverage and "faithful color reproduction," according to Sony. That's complimented by a 2.7-inch TFT LCD that tilts 135 degrees up and 55 degrees downwards. The killer feature is the translucent mirror, which allows for what Sony calls "4D Focus" -- a 79-point phase-detection AF that works continuously at up to 8fps, even in low-light.

  By Steve Dent Read More

• DJI buys stake in high-end camera firm Hasselblad

  Drone maker DJI has purchased a stake in Hasselblad, the company best known for medium-format still cameras and pimped out, overpriced Sony rebadges. The move is a bit of a head-scratcher, because we don't see a lot of synergy there -- Hasselblad's H-series cameras are far too heavy for drones and most models don't even shoot video. Furthermore, DJI recently unveiled its own drone-ready Micro-Four-Thirds camera. Nevertheless, DJI can certainly afford the minority share it purchased in Hasselblad, and now sits on the company's board of directors.

  By Steve Dent Read More

• California police use these biometric scanners

  Police are increasingly turning to biometric tech in the field. It's supposed to help cops verify the identity of suspects, but there's a real concern that they could abuse this to get personal details on record -- and the Electronic Frontier Foundation wants you to know when this hardware might come into play. The rights group has published a report detailing the biometric scanners in use by California law enforcement, and they're in more widespread use than you might think. Mobile fingerprint readers are in use at several departments, and face recognition is getting traction. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is using tattoo recognition, and some police departments are looking into iris scanning.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Circle with Disney makes it easy to control your kids' screen time

  When I was younger, I had a friend whose dad would shut down their house's internet connection every 12AM without fail. He'd love Circle with Disney if his children were still kids. It's a cube (despite its name) that pairs up with your WiFi network and gives you the power to control your kids' internet activities. The device's creator, Jelani Memory, originally tried to raise funds via Kickstarter a couple of years ago, but the campaign didn't reach its goal. It turned out to be, as Memory told Wired, "a really great failure," because the startup found a powerful partner in Disney.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Sony's A7 II camera gets a faster and more accurate autofocus

  The Sony A7 II is one of the best mirrorless cameras available right now, although it isn't perfect. After trying it out earlier this year, one of our main issues with the full-frame shooter was its autofocus performance, which was at times slow and unreliable. But Sony has an update coming soon that, along with bringing a new feature, promises to fix some of these woes. In addition to activating the phase detection AF on the A7 II, the company's also turning on support for uncompressed 14-bit RAW image capture -- something that already exists in models such as the A7S II, A7R II and RX1R II. You can grab the refreshed firmware, version 2.0, on November 18th from Sony's support website.

  By Edgar Alvarez Read More

• Runaway blimp prompts the US to freeze a missile defense program

  That US Army radar blimp that ran amok didn't just trigger an internet frenzy... it may have put the brakes on a big military research initiative. Pentagon officials have frozen the JLENS (Joint Land Attack Cruise Missile Defense Elevated Netted Sensor System) program behind the blimp while they investigate what went wrong. The government isn't saying what it might do, but there are already politicians calling for the blimps to be cut. JLENS had already been hanging by a thread ever since 2010, when the Army threatened to kill it -- there are longstanding concerns about both the technology's reliability and its effectiveness compared to conventional aircraft. Don't be surprised if these defensive dirigibles vanish in short order. [Image credit: U.S. Air Force/Tiffany DeNault via Getty Images]

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Maker Camp becomes the after-school program you wish you had as a kid

  "One thing we can bet on is that 'making' engages kids," Dale Dougherty, Maker Media founder told Engadget. Anyone that's ever been to a Maker Faire knows that's a solid wager. Children routinely crowd around booths and attractions at the event peppering proprietors with questions about how their devices work. They drag their parents to the marketplace to buy Arduinos, soldering guns, and DIY kits. Getting littles ones excited about science and crafts is easy when it's right in their faces, but then what? That was the question on Dougherty's mind, "what happens on the Monday following a Faire?"

  By Roberto Baldwin Read More

• Korg's OK Go Volca Sample is pre-loaded with sounds from 'Hungry Ghosts'

  Last fall, OK Go released their latest album Hungry Ghosts. If you happen to enjoy the samples the band used on it, you can employ those sounds yourself thanks to Korg. The audio company revealed a limited-edition of its Volca Sample emblazoned with OK Go art and loaded with clips the band used to make the aforementioned release. In fact, there's 100 different sounds total that are all available for use. This version of the Volca Sample features the same multi-touch keyboard, 16-step sequencer and can run on six AA batteries for mobile music making. It's part of the larger Volca line that includes the Volca Keys, Volca Bass and Volca Beat compact synths. And the original Volca Sample, of course. If all of that sounds too good to pass up, you'll be able to sang one for yourself this month after parting with $160.

  By Billy Steele Read More

• Airbnb wins over voters in fight against rental restrictions in SF

  Airbnb and similar services have won against Proposition F, with most San Francisco residents choosing to vote against the controversial measure. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the proposition lost by 55 percent to 45 percent, though Reuters is reporting that it lost by 61 percent instead. Prop F, which is also known as the Airbnb Initiative, is backed by hotel workers' unions, landlords and housing activists. They believe that laws governing services like Airbnb's should be stricter and that rentals are making the housing crisis worse, driving up rent and land prices in the city.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• ICYMI: Obstacle-avoiding UAV, smartwatch whys and more

  #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-421365{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-421365, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-421365{width:570px;display:block;} try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-421365").style.display="none";}catch(e){}Today on In Case You Missed It: A new wearable screen that runs Android while strapped to your wrist is out, but we can't help but make fun of it. MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab created a UAV that can fly through a forest safely with an obstacle avoidance algorithm. And a prototype gun for objects lets users whip together large-scaled 3D designs using run-of-the-mill packing tape.

  By Kerry Davis Read More

• Polaroid sues GoPro for copying a design patent

  C&A Marketing Inc., the company that produces the Polaroid Cube, has filed a lawsuit against GoPro for releasing the Hero4 Session camera. On what grounds? Well, the two cameras look almost identical. Both are shaped like a cube with rounded edges, and even though the Session is able to shoot better quality video and is slightly larger than the 1.4-cubic-inch Cube, C&A is insisting that GoPro has infringed on the design patent that it received in May this year, preventing any other camera from copying the Cube's unique look. GoPro had filed a patent related to its square camera's design in March, but that specifically covered the camera's housing.

  By Christopher Klimovski Read More

• Redbox owner buys phone trade-in company to get away from DVDs

  If you owned Redbox and faced a slowly declining disc-based movie rental business, what would you do? Diversify so that you're not rendered obsolete by internet video? If so, you're not alone. Outerwall (Redbox's parent company) has bought the phone trade-in firm Gazelle for a relatively modest $18 million. The deal gives it an online counterpart to EcoATM, its kiosk-based trade-in outfit -- the hope is that it'll catch those customers who'd rather not leave home to sell an old device. The shift in strategy may seem odd at first blush, but it makes sense given that Outerwall didn't have much success dragging Redbox into the streaming era.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Volkswagen also lied about its gas-powered cars

  Volkswagen admitted in September that it used defeat devices aimed at fooling emissions tests in 11 million of its diesel vehicles -- but now its gasoline models are implicated in the scandal as well. On Tuesday, Volkswagen reported that it understated the level of carbon dioxide emissions of about 800,000 vehicles, including gasoline-powered models. This is the first confirmation that some of Volkswagen's gasoline-run vehicles do in fact exceed carbon dioxide emissions. The company didn't provide details in today's revelation, but it said the conclusion comes after conducting internal emissions tests.

  By Jessica Conditt Read More

• Wireless charging's smaller players unite as the AirFuel Alliance

  The wireless charging world can usually be reduced to two factions: the Qi standard... and then everyone else. However, those frequently neglected alternatives are now rallying around a common banner. Meet the AirFuel Alliance, the new name for the recent union between the Alliance for Wireless Power and the Power Matters Alliance. The name is a bit silly (fuel isn't exactly electric, folks), but it'll give Intel, Samsung and the 193 other member companies a clearer way to represent their "inclusive" approach to wire-free power.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Comcast to offer unlimited data for an extra $35 a month

  As the world's attention shifts from typical cable services towards streaming alternatives, Comcast is trying its very hardest to keep people interested in its products. The company recently announced that it was bringing a ton of new content to the X1 and now, in what seems to be a complement this, it has rolled out an unlimited Internet plan for an extra $35 a month. The add-on gets rid of the pesky 300-gigabyte monthly data cap that has been put in place in Atlanta, Miami and Nashville. If enough people in these cities opt to get rid of the bandwidth cap then the offer could potentially see a bandwidth cap placed on all data plans across the country, encouraging heavy users to opt for an unlimited plan. It's a clever way to recoup lost revenue because if, for example, 100,000 people pay for the service it can generate an additional half-million dollars for Comcast every month. The company conducted a survey and found that users would be more than willing to pay a flat fee to get rid of their data cap and make sure they weren't stung with overuse fees. I mean, I know I would.

  By Christopher Klimovski Read More

• How PayPal stole Christmas (according to 233 Brits)

  Halloween has passed and November is here. For advertisers, that means it's about time to debut this year's festive adverts. PayPal jumped straight in, airing its own during an X Factor ad break on Sunday night, but for hundreds of Brits, it's already destroyed the magic of Christmas. The Guardian reports that the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has received 233 complaints from viewers arguing that PayPal's advert implies that Father Christmas isn't real.

  By Matt Brian Read More

• What's on your HDTV: 'That '70s Show,' 'Call of Duty,' 'Master of None'

  This week is all about Call of Duty, as this year's edition arrives on consoles Friday with all single player missions unlocked from the start -- unless you're on Xbox 360 or PS3. If you want Black Ops 3 first them you can of course try downloading it, but if you prefer a disc some Amazon is adding midnight delivery as an option next to the standard midnight release. Also this week, Mill Creek Entertainment is releasing the entire run of That '70s Show on Blu-ray, which isn't cropped or zoomed (like The Wire) since it was originally shot in widescreen on film (like Friends and Seinfeld). Better yet? It's currently available via Best Buy and Amazon for $60. Netflix premieres Aziz Ansari's series Master of None, while the first two season of Game of Thrones are being re-released on Blu-ray with Dolby Atmos surround sound -- check after the break for a trailer explaining how important the new audio is. Look after the break to check out each day's highlights, including trailers and let us know what you think (or what we missed).

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• Best Buy hopes same-day delivery will fend off Amazon

  Online retailers like Amazon are putting the pressure on brick-and-mortar retail spaces by offering cheap and speedy delivery of goods, with same-day -- and in some cases one-hour -- deliveries to metro areas around the country. In a bid to keep up with the competition, Best Buy is testing a same-day delivery service with the help of delivery service Deliv. Currently being tested in San Francisco, same-day delivery will cost Best Buy customers the same amount as one-day business express shipping. The company is marketing the service to online shoppers as an alternative to its in-store pickup option. It will be interesting to see whether people in San Fransico will continue to collect their goods from a physical store when they can now opt to get it delivered to them -- probably as they stream Amazon Prime Video from the comfort of their sofa.

  By Christopher Klimovski Read More

• The After Math: You've got to see this

  What a week it's been for entertainment news on the internet! Netflix's first theatrical release, Beasts of No Nation, is racking up views; the NFL's first live-streamed game, which debuted on Yahoo!, was reasonably well-received; and we learned something new about our friend, the chameleon. And now for some numbers.

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

Nintendo (10)

• A new chiptune album is coming to the Nintendo Famicom

  Every week it feels like a new video game soundtrack gets a vinyl release. Journey, The Last of Us, FTL and Shenmue -- none of these are surprises anymore. So what's next? MiniDiscs? Cassette tapes? Well, some musicians are keen to use cartridges instead. 8BIT MUSIC POWER is a new chiptune album that you'll need to slide into a Nintendo Famicom (Japan's equivalent of the NES) to listen to. Developed by RIKI and manufactured by Columbus Circle, it features 12 original tracks from, among others, former Famicom music composers Yuriko Keino (Xevious, Dig Dug) and Takeaki Kunimoto (Star Soldier).

  By Nick Summers Read More

• Playdate: 'Mario Tennis Ultra Smash' and board games with animals

  Ah, Thanksgiving -- the perfect time to relax with your family and play something slow, wholesome and casual. Nintendo, it's your time to shine: join us as we check out Animal Crossing Amiibo Festival and Mario Tennis Ultra Smash on Wii U to see which game better compliments a gluttonous holiday meal. We'll be streaming at 6PM Eastern / 3PM Pacific right here in this post, on the Engadget Gaming homepage and, if you want to join us in chat, at Twitch.tv/Joystiq. And yes, it's okay to vent your Amiibo shopping frustrations here. This is a safe space, friends. We understand.

  By Sean Buckley Read More

• Nintendo opened an eBay store for some reason

  Looking for a good deal on a refurbished Wii U, but don't like using Nintendo's clunky online shop? Now you have another option -- the company just opened an official eBay store, stocked with new and refurbished games, consoles and accessories. Don't expect to find any deals though: almost everything on the official eBay store conforms to current retail prices (fixed using eBay's "buy it now" feature) or Nintendo's existing refurb pricing.

  By Sean Buckley Read More

• Playdate: Chilling out in the Mushroom Kingdom

  It's been a long week, folks -- and there's only one proper way to unwind: a cool drink, some Twitch friends and your Super Mario Maker levels. That's right, we're returning to our vault of level submissions to torture Sean and have a good time. Join us on Twitch.tv/Joystiq, the Engadget Gaming homepage or right here in this post starting at 6PM Eastern / 3PM Pacific. Didn't get in on our last Mario Maker event? Drop your level codes into chat, and we'll make sure to give them priority.

  By Sean Buckley Read More

• Next for Nintendo: Zelda reboots, fresh Splatoon gear and more

  Nintendo announced a slew of upcoming titles and their release dates -- as well as new content for existing franchises -- during the company's Nintendo Direct livestream on Thursday. Gird your loins and prepare for Zelda reboots, fancy new Splatoon arenas, and so. many. amiibo sets.

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• Um, Cloud from 'Final Fantasy VII' is heading to Smash Bros.

  You haven't accidentally stumbled into an alternate reality where Final Fantasy VII was developed by Nintendo. But, the following is still true: Cloud from Final Fantasy VII will be a playable character in Super Smash Bros. This is what we get for living in a world where the Nintendo PlayStation actually exists. Nintendo dropped the announcement right at the end of its Nintendo Direct livestream today.

  By Jessica Conditt Read More

• 'Star Fox Zero' lands on Wii U in April

  Star Fox Zero makes its way to Wii U on April 22nd, 2016, barrel rolls and all. The game was originally due on November 20th, but in September, Nintendo announced its delay into 2016. "We will need a little more time to work on areas such as the unprecedented discovery that we want players to experience in the game by using two screens, and further polishing the level designs and perfecting the tone of the cut scenes," Nintendo said at the time. The company announced the new release date during its Nintendo Direct livestream.

  By Jessica Conditt Read More

• 'The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD' hits Wii U in 2016

  It's official: The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD exists and it's heading to Wii U on March 4th, 2016. Twilight Princess HD introduces a new Wolf Link amiibo, which is included in a special game bundle. The game shares some data with the new Legend of Zelda game heading to Wii U in 2016 as well. Rumors of Twilight Princess HD's existence first hit the 'net in October. Nintendo made the official announcement today during its Nintendo Direct livestream.

  By Jessica Conditt Read More

• Watch today's Nintendo Direct right here

  Nintendo Direct is back and ready to deliver some serious 3DS and Wii U news. Today's live stream starts at 2PM PT (5PM ET/10PM GMT), and the US version is viewable at the bottom of this post (or see region-specific streams here). Don't expect any details about the NX or Nintendo's mobile games -- today is poised to be all about the Wii U and 3DS only. This is the first Nintendo Direct since President Satoru Iwata's death in July; former Nintendo of America and Pokémon USA President Tatsumi Kimishima is now the head of the company. So, grab a banana, pull up a chair and prepare for a brand new Nintendo Direct.

  By Jessica Conditt Read More

• Nintendo Direct returns on Thursday with Wii U and 3DS news

  The next Nintendo Direct takes place on November 12th at 2PM PT (10PM GMT), and it promises news and trailers for a slew of Wii U and 3DS games. This is Nintendo's first live-streamed news program since April -- and it's the first since the death of Nintendo President Satoru Iwata. For many viewers, Iwata encapsulated the appeal of Nintendo Direct, as he helped the company have fun in delivering its news (and appeared to have an adorable banana fetish). Former Nintendo of America and Pokémon USA President Tatsumi Kimishima is now the head of Nintendo. For its Thursday show, Nintendo promises updates on coming Wii U and 3DS games, and it says this Nintendo Direct will not feature news about its coming console, the NX, or its mobile endeavors. Catch region-specific streams of Nintendo Direct on Twitch (US, UK).

  By Jessica Conditt Read More

PC Gaming (13)

• Lenovo teams with Razer on gaming PCs

  When you think of gaming PCs, Lenovo probably isn't your first choice. It has gaming PCs, but it's often far more tempting to either go with a game-centric brand or build a system yourself. Lenovo may have a way to improve its reputation, though. It's partnering with Razer on special editions of its Y series devices that pack both the performance you'd expect from a gaming rig as well as Razer's signature design cues, such as multi-hued Chroma lighting. The first confirmed project from the two is the Lenovo Razer Edition desktop you see here (due for a full debut at CES in January), but there are promises of "multiple" products and joint development of new technology.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Steam Controller's new trick is designed for strategy games

  By default, the haptic touchpads that define Valve's Steam Controller are just thumb-friendly fill-ins for a proper mouse -- but that's not all they can do. Thanks to a new Steam client beta update, the Steam Controller's signature touchapds can now do something now standard PC mouse can: instantly warp your cursor anywhere on the screen at the touch of a thumb.

  By Sean Buckley Read More

• A 'Dragon Quest' game is coming to PCs through Steam

  At long last, you can get a Dragon Quest game on Steam... if not quite the role-playing game you might be hoping for. Square Enix has revealed that Dragon Quest Heroes: The World Tree's Woe and the Blight Below is coming to Windows as a Steam download on December 3rd. The $60 title (already available on the PS3 and PS4) is really a slash-em-up that happens to be set in the DQ universe more than anything else -- think Dynasty Warriors with slimes. Still, this is heartening news. Heroes was well-received when it hit consoles earlier this year, and its Windows launch raises hope that other follow-ups in the series (if not necessarily the much-hyped Dragon Quest XI) could one day be just a click away.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Playdate: Crushing the Rebel scum in 'Star Wars: Battlefront'

  Not too long from now, on a Twitch stream in the very near future, Sean Buckley and myself will be blasting Rebel scum in Star Wars: Battlefront. The sci-fi shooter's the topic du jour on the latest edition of Playdate and you can tune in starting at 6 PM ET/ 3 PM Pacific to catch two hours of the hot Empire on Rebel action across Sullust, Hoth, and who even knows where else? And since we streamed the game's beta on PlayStation 4 we're giving the full version a go on PC today. As always, you can tune in here on this post, the Engadget Gaming homepage or Twitch.tv/Joystiq if you'd like to join us in chat -- it's your destiny.

  By Timothy J. Seppala Read More

• Getting out of the garage and into VR with 'Dungeons and Dragons'

  When I was a kid, my best friend's garage was a magical place. My friends and I would gather around a dirty table on cold winter nights, huddled between unused sports equipment and the family's spare TV, to kill monsters with dice. It was where we played Dungeons & Dragons. Then I grew up; my friends grew up. We all got jobs and moved away. Now all the old building does is hold cars. Over the years, our group has tried to recreate our adventures over the phone, through online chat programs and even over Skype, but nothing ever felt right. Tabletop gaming is a social activity that demands a sense of presence, which makes playing Dungeons & Dragons across state lines really hard. Recently, a company called AltspaceVR invited me to try an option I hadn't considered before: Playing D&D in virtual reality. Believe it or not, it might actually work.

  By Sean Buckley Read More

• Steam Machines are slower gaming systems than Windows PCs

  The whole point of a Steam Machine is to get PC-like gaming in your living room, but do you actually get PC-like performance? Not so much, if you ask Ars Technica. It recently ran benchmarks comparing the performance of SteamOS and Windows 10 on the same hardware, and it's pretty clear that you're taking a speed hit in the name of couch-based convenience. The two operating systems are very close in synthetic tests, but SteamOS lags well behind Windows when it comes to real gameplay: depending on the game and your detail settings, you could be losing dozens of frames per second. All of the titles tested were still very playable on the modest test rig (a dual-core 3GHz Pentium with an old GeForce GTX 660), but this could pose a problem with more demanding titles in the future.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Steam Controller gives disabled player one-handed 'Skyrim' controls

  Valve's Steam Controller, like PC gaming in general, is highly customizable. Whether you think its large, circular trackpads are an annoyance or a revolution, there are plenty of ways to tweak how they perform in-game. One thoughtful user, Chris Hepburn, has remapped the buttons in Skyrim to help a disabled player fully control their adventurer one-handed. The right haptic pad controls the camera, while tilting the controller up, down, left and right handles character movement. The right trigger is used both to attack and defend, depending on whether you tap or hold with your finger. The A, B, X and Y buttons have been left untouched, while tapping the left analog stick changes your immediate weapons. Hepburn says the control scheme works best with a cushion for support -- reaching for the analog stick and waggling the controller can get a little tiresome otherwise. The Reddit community has suggested he make a left-handed alternative too -- anything that makes games more accessible is a worthwhile endeavour in our books. Top work, Hepburn.

  By Nick Summers Read More

• Cyberpunk PC classic 'System Shock' is getting a proper remake

  While System Shock might have only just received a facelift when it launched on GOG.com earlier this year, an entire remake of the legendary PC game is now in the works — and perhaps even System Shock 3. And if you've never heard of System Shock? You should have: both the creators of BioShock and Deus Ex were involved in the game, which is a 1994 classic in its own right. Night Dive, the same company that was tasked with this year's digital renovation, will handle the remake. It's picked up full rights to the franchise.

  By Mat Smith Read More

• We hate Valve's Steam Controller because it's different

  My stomach tied itself into a knot as I read the gaming community's first impressions of Valve's final Steam Controller. "It's cheap feeling," many of them said, "difficult and frustrating to use." Forum posts, tweets and reviews all bemoaned how different the touchpads felt compared to traditional analog sticks, accusing it of fixing something that wasn't broken.The general consensus seemed to be that the Steam Controller was a mistake: A drastic, unnecessary step away from the tried and true layout of the 16-button, dual-analog gamepad standard. I felt betrayed and even a little offended -- but it wasn't Valve's experimental gamepad that let me down (I love that little thing), it was the gaming community that decided to turn a cold shoulder to innovation.

  By Sean Buckley Read More

• Developers can now sell in-game items through Steam

  The folks at Valve have introduced a new Steam feature called "Item Store" which, as its name implies, makes it easier for game developers to manage and sell microtransactions. Facepunch Studios has already jumped on board, creating a marketplace for its DayZ-inspired survival title Rust. It sits inside the Steam client and any items you buy are added to your inventory automatically. So what's the point? Well, this feature means indie developers no longer have to build in-game stores from scratch. They can also be used to manage user-made items -- as Eurogamer reports, developers can integrate their stores with Steam Workshops and set their own item prices. Steam handles the checkout process and promises to split the payments between Workshop authors "as appropriate." What's not clear, however, is whether the developer takes a cut on community-made items. Earlier this year Valve faced enormous backlash when it tried to introduce paid Skyrim mods -- hopefully it's learned from that mistake and really thought this initiative through.

  By Nick Summers Read More

• Epic Games' new PC shooter is called 'Paragon'

  Thought the new Unreal Tournament was Epic Games' only upcoming PC shooter? Think again: today the company quietly announced Paragon -- but truth be told, we know almost nothing about the new title. Epic is giving the game a slow reveal, teasing a new playable "hero" character for the game each week until December 3rd. Unfortunately, the game's reveal doesn't explain what the what kind of game Paragon actually is.

  By Sean Buckley Read More

• EVE Online's new minigame puts players to work, for science

  EVE Online is probably best known as the hardcore space sim where huge quantities of real money (say, about $1,500) can be lost at the drop of a hat. It's a pretty unique accolade, but developer CCP is working on a better one -- if everything goes as planned, EVE Online will soon be known as the hardcore space sim where players devote thousands of man-hours to science by contributing to the Human Protein Atlas.

  By Sean Buckley Read More

• Warner Bros. offers refunds for 'Batman: Arkham Knight' on PC

  The failure of Batman: Arkham Knight's PC port is finally complete -- after being removed from digital stores for being completely broken at launch, going through a four month overhaul and returning with too many lingering issues to forgive, Warner Bros. has finally thrown in the towel. If you bought the game on PC, you're eligible for a refund between now and the end of the year.

  By Sean Buckley Read More

PlayStation (13)

• Sony confirms official PS4 Remote Play app for Windows and Mac

  Well that was quick. It's only been a couple of days since someone came up with an unofficial app to stream PlayStation 4 gaming to PC, but earlier today, Sony's awesome Shuhei Yoshida confirmed on Twitter that his company is "indeed working on an official [Remote Play] application for PC/Mac." Yes, it will support both Windows and Mac OS X, which is already more than what the Xbox One offers, though Yoshida has yet to provide a date. Regardless, this is bad news for the unofficial app's developer, who has apparently been working on this project on and off for over a year and planned on charging $10 for the hard work, but at least we can give him or her some credit for getting Sony to up the game for its consoles.

  By Richard Lai Read More

• Sony PlayStation 4 sales speed past 30 million

  In just over two years Sony's sold over 30 million PlayStation 4s. That tally was 20.2 million in March, and now ahead of the busy holiday shopping season we have word from the Japanese tech giant that it's sold through more than 30.2 million consoles to some 124 countries and regions globally. That's roughly 1.25 million consoles per month since then, as of November 22nd. Impressive! Of course, Microsoft announced that the Xbox One was the number one-selling console for October, and that Halo 5 was the best selling game last month, but as per usual didn't give out any hard numbers.

  By Timothy J. Seppala Read More

• Sony is adding PlayStation 2 backwards compatibility to the PS4

  Sony and Electronic Arts have a Star Wars: Battlefront PlayStation 4 bundle available right now and with it comes a quartet of games from a long time ago and a galaxy far, far away (or at least as far as the PlayStation 2 era). Star Wars: Bounty Hunter, Star Wars: Jedi Starfighter, Star Wars Racer: Revenge and Super Star Wars come with the bundle via a single download code, and all bar one appear to be the original PS2 games running in emulation. The discovery comes via the tech-minded folks over at Digital Foundry who spotted a number of clues suggesting backwards compatibility had finally arrived. The evidence is in the details. As DF noted, the sophomore console's select and start buttons have been mapped to either side of the DualShock 4's touchpad, something only Sony, rather than Lucasarts Interactive can do.

  By Timothy J. Seppala Read More

• Adorable, grisly adventure game 'Jenny LeClue' hits PS4 in 2016

  Jenny LeClue is a coming-of-age story wrapped in a choose-your-own-adventure novel and tied up with the pixelated ribbon of a point-and-click detective game. And it's coming to PlayStation 4 next year, creator Joe Russ announced on the PlayStation Blog today. We've been keeping an eye on this one since its $105,800 Kickstarter in 2014 -- it's poised to be a witty and charming investigation game starring a pugnacious young woman, Jenny LeClue, on a mission to prove her mother is innocent of murder. However, Jenny is fictional even within the game, where she's the star of a series of (also fictional) choose-your-own-adventure novels. As Jenny hunts down evidence and discovers secrets in her sleepy, creepy town, her author narrates, and the two characters play off of each other in often-humorous ways.

  By Jessica Conditt Read More

• Cyberpunk noir game 'Read Only Memories' heads to PS4 and Vita

  Read Only Memories, a pixelated adventure game set in the futuristic city of Neo-San Fransisco, will make its way to PlayStation 4 and Vita "soon," developer Midboss announced in a new trailer. Midboss is composed of the folks behind the annual GaymerX convention, and Read Only Memories is a narrative-driven, sci-fi romp set in 2064 that happens to include an array of inclusive character options, such as the ability to choose your preferred gender pronoun. However, these options are almost a side-note to the game's emphasis on story, retro 2D gameplay and robust character interactions.

  By Jessica Conditt Read More

• 'Beyond: Two Souls' hits PS4 next week

  When it comes to story-driven gameplay, few developers are quite as ambitious as Quantic Dream. We already knew that its PS3 titles, Heavy Rain and Beyond: Two Souls, were coming to PS4, and now we've got some release dates. Beyond is coming out digitally next week: November 24th in the US ($29.99) and November 26th in Europe (€29.99/£24.99). If you buy the game that way, you'll also get access to a discounted version of Heavy Rain -- it's due on March 1st in the US, but it's not clear exactly when it'll be available digitally elsewhere. For Europe, Quantic Dream has confirmed a physical bundle called, unsurprisingly, The Heavy Rain and Beyond: Two Souls Collection. That'll arrive on March 4th in the UK and March 2nd for the rest of Europe. There's no word on pricing, and we suspect that's roughly when Heavy Rain will launch digitally across the continent.

  By Nick Summers Read More

• The original 'Valkyria Chronicles' heads to PS4 in HD (in Japan)

  Valkyria Chronicles, Sega's strategy RPG that hit the PlayStation 3 in 2008, is getting an HD upgrade for a launch on PS4, Famitsu reports (as translated by Gematsu). The remake is confirmed for a release in Japan on February 10th, with no mention of North American plans just yet. Sega is also working on a new entry in the series, Valkyria: Azure Revolution, slated to hit Japanese PS4s in winter 2016, according to Gematsu. Valkyria Chronicles debuted on PC in November 2014, and while that wasn't an HD remake, it featured dual-language support, Steam Achievements, customization options and all previously released DLC -- not bad for $20.

  By Jessica Conditt Read More

• 'Uncharted' for beginners: My first romp with Nathan Drake

  I am the 80 percent. Let me explain: Sony recently released a remastered collection of the Uncharted series for the PlayStation 4. The games were all critically acclaimed, with Uncharted 2: Among Thieves ranking among the best games of the last decade, but developer Naughty Dog says that 80 percent of PS4 owners have never played them. I'm part of that group, and I figured it was high time to catch up with one of the most lauded trilogies of the last decade. Now that I'm in the thick of Nathan Drake's adventures, I'm going to answer one question: If you've never played Uncharted, are these games worth your time?

  By Nathan Ingraham Read More

• Playdate: We've got the 'Need for Speed' on PlayStation 4

  It's time to kick some tires and light some fires, folks. The new Need for Speed, out this week, is awesome. More importantly, it shows exactly what can happen when a video game publisher (Electronic Arts, in this case) says that a developer can take a year off to work on a game rather than churn out sub-par sequels on an annual basis. Usually when the word "cinematic" is thrown around to describe a game, that means big explosions and scripted events -- not usually the visual style. The team at Ghost Games doesn't subscribe to that theory and rather than focusing on "water-cooler moments" that only happen once, it instead made Need for Speed look as much like a movie shot on film as possible. Need proof? At 6PM Eastern / 3PM Pacific Sean and myself are broadcasting two hours of the game on Twitch.

  By Timothy J. Seppala Read More

• Playdate: Clambering around London in 'Assassin's Creed: Syndicate'

  It's autumn, so that means it's time for a new Assassin's Creed game. This time out the franchise has gone back to London's industrial age with Syndicate. A period when kids worked in factories and hooded folks jumped off of tall buildings to kill members of the Knights Templar. That last part might not be historically accurate. Maybe. There are a lot of variables at play here. Regardless, the last few AC releases haven't been great, but I'm determined to give Syndicate the old college try to see if it can recapture the franchise's highpoint, 2009's Assassin's Creed 2. This time you can come along for the ride with Sean and myself as we explore London's seedy underbelly starting at 6PM Eastern / 3PM Pacific. As always, we'll be playing for two hours and you can tune in either on this post, the Engadget Gaming homepage or Twitch.tv/Joystiq if you'd like to join us in chat.

  By Timothy J. Seppala Read More

• Cult horror game 'White Day' is coming to PSVR

  The first-person horror game White Day: A Labyrinth Named School is being ported to Sony's PlayStation VR headset. To call White Day a sleeper hit would be an understatement. It debuted in Korea in 2001, offering a chilling (and very jump scare-y) story set in a high school populated by ghosts. Although White Day was scheduled for translation into English and a western release in 2004, that never materialized. Sonnori, the game's developer, fell off the map, and the game seemed destined to be forgotten. Fast-forward five years or so, and thanks to a rough English translation, its popularity began to rise.

  By Aaron Souppouris Read More

• PlayStation Now adds 105 games, including 21 from Capcom

  PlayStation Now is Sony's game-streaming subscription service, and its library basically just doubled in size. With today's addition of 105 titles, PlayStation Now offers more than 250 subscription games for the PlayStation 3, PS4, Vita and PS TV, all of which should keep you occupied through 2016 at least. Today's game dump features 21 Capcom titles, including six Resident Evil installments, Ultra Street Fighter 4, Mega Man 9 and 10, Dead Rising 2 and Asura's Wrath. Other new games available via PlayStation Now include Guilty Gear Xrd - SIGN, Proteus, Stealth Inc: A Clone in the Dark, Double Dragon Neon, Dragon's Lair, Karateka, Giana Sisters: Twisted Dreams, Penny Arcade Adventures 1 and 2, Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath HD, Starwhal, MX vs. ATV Alive and Fatal Fury. PlayStation Now subscriptions start at $20 per month in the US (£13 in the UK).

  By Jessica Conditt Read More

• Sony's pricey noise cancelling PS4 headset launches next month

  Sony already offers a varied range of official accessories for the PlayStation 4, but in-ear headphones have mostly been shunned in favor of on-ear headsets. The good news is that if you've been waiting for a pair of branded buds, the company is finally ready to step up to the plate. With its new In-ear Stereo Headset, Sony will debut its noise-reducing AudioShield technology, adding more immersion to your gaming sessions, while filtering out any unwanted background noise during your daily commute.

  By Matt Brian Read More

Reviews (41)

• Wileyfox Swift and Storm review: Two cheap UK phones, one worth buying

  There are two ways you can go about buying a new smartphone: Either you spread the cost over a year or two with a carrier contract, or purchase the thing outright. When you're finally done paying it off, a subsidised handset often ends up costing more than it's worth. However, considering the price of new iPhones, Samsung flagships and peers, that can still be preferable to emptying your bank account in one fell swoop. Thankfully, companies big and small are addressing this conundrum with phones that offer the kind of specs and user experience customers want at prices they're happy to pay upfront. Despite an abundance of competition in contract-free handsets already, new British brand Wileyfox is one such company, and it's hoping to make its mark in the UK with the affordable £129 Swift and higher-end £199 Storm.

  By Jamie Rigg Read More

• Microsoft Lumia 950 review: Not a flagship, but a first step

  After years of misguided attempts at mobile, Microsoft is ready for a fresh start. While Windows Phone 8 and 8.1 mostly just looked like their desktop counterparts, Windows 10 Mobile aspires to something even more substantial. This time, Microsoft tried to build a mobile platform -- and a phone -- that can seriously replicate some of those big-screen experiences. Rather than just peck out emails and rough drafts on the new Lumia 950, Windows 10 makes it possible to connect a keyboard, mouse and display and let Universal apps like Word and Outlook to get more done. Microsoft doesn't think the Lumia 950 is a new phone as much as it a symbol of something new -- a standard-bearer for a kind of mobile computing that won't be contained by a single box in your pocket. Their vision is ambitious, and who knows! They might be right about all of this. For now though, it's clear Microsoft still has plenty of work to do.

  By Chris Velazco Read More

• Lenovo Yoga 900 review: Same thin design with fewer compromises

  Lenovo's Yoga laptops hardly need an introduction at this point: The company's iconic 2-in-1s are so popular that its competitors have been copying them right and left. Last year's edition, the Yoga 3 Pro, was especially notable for how thin and light it was: just 2.6 pounds and half an inch thick, and that was with a folding touchscreen, too. The problem, we found, was that as easy as it was to hold, that compact design came with significant compromises, including lackluster performance and mediocre battery life. Enter this year's model, the new Yoga 900 ($1,199 and up). Like its predecessor, it has a 13-inch, 3,200 x 1,800 screen and a slim build, but this time it claims faster performance, longer battery life and a sturdier hinge. It is, essentially, an improvement in almost every way.

  By Dana Wollman Read More

• Samsung Gear VR review (2015): A no-brainer if you own a Samsung phone

  When Samsung and Oculus debuted their Gear VR headset almost a year ago, the companies made it clear the device wasn't yet ready for the masses. Billed as "Innovator Edition" models, the original Gear VRs were intended mainly for early adopters. They only fitted a limited number of phones -- the original was designed just for the Note 4; the second for the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge -- and were also quite pricey at $200 per headset. Just last week, however, the two companies released the first-ever consumer-ready version of the Gear VR. It's smaller, lighter, cheaper (only $99) and is compatible with more phones (the Note 5, S6, S6 Edge and S6 Edge+). But, more importantly, its content library has exploded, with more VR apps and games than ever before. Virtual reality has finally gone mainstream, and there's no better way to get started than with the new Gear VR.

  By Nicole Lee Read More

• Bang and Olufsen couldn't convince me a speaker is worth $1,000

  Bang and Olufsen is known for two things: unique design and high prices. Sometimes, the cost isn't so much of an issue if the design is matched by quality audio or a solid display panel. The company's new BeoPlay A6 is a $1,000 wireless speaker with three modes to change its sound based on where it's placed in a room. With Sonos and others already offering similar products for a fraction of the price, I was unsure if B&O's latest product would live up to steep asking price. Unfortunately, my suspicions were correct.

  By Billy Steele Read More

• Mini review video: Our verdict on the Droid Turbo 2 in about a minute

  #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-235272{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-235272, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-235272{width:570px;display:block;}try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-235272").style.display="none";}catch(e){}On paper, Motorola's Droid Turbo 2 looks like an upgraded version of the Moto X Pure Edition, which was already one of our favorite Android phones. In particular, the Turbo 2 brings more powerful components, a big battery and a shatterproof screen. In reality, though, the Turbo 2 suffers from a slightly dim screen, mediocre camera and loads of Verizon bloatware. The battery life, while pretty decent, is not quite as long as advertised. Also, at $624, it's expensive for what it is, and it's not likely to receive software updates as quickly as the Moto X. Don't get us wrong, it's a decent phone, but given the choice, you'd still be better off with the bog-standard Pure Edition. That's the gist, as you'll see in our mini review video, and if you have time for a longer read, check out our full review here.

  By Dana Wollman Read More

• Flying a drone is easier when the battery doesn't die right away

  It just kept going until it was barely a speck in the sky. I was sure I had lost the Bebop 2 review unit Parrot had sent Engadget. The fact that the company's latest mid-level drone flies longer and faster than its predecessor popped into my mind along side the concern that it would just keep going and going. The onboard 14-megapixel 1080p camera would capture the entire flight. Of course that would be a moot point if it continued on its westward path and eventually lost power and splashed down in the Pacific. I squinted as the sun made it difficult to see the Bebop finally take a quick right turn along its pre-programmed path around San Francisco's Sutro Tower. My concern wasn't completely unfounded: Minutes earlier I had difficulty with the drone's WiFi connection with my phone after powering up. But at the end of the day, the Bebop 2 delivers on its extended battery life and speed even if it takes time to get it up in the air.

  By Roberto Baldwin Read More

• Mini review video: Our verdict on the iPad Pro in under a minute

  #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-267720{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-267720, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-267720{width:570px;display:block;} try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-267720").style.display="none";}catch(e){} Had trouble reading every single word of my iPad Pro review? It's okay, writing all of those words was kind of hard, too. For those of you with shorter attention spans, here's the abridged version: Apple's biggest-ever tablet isn't for me, but it could be a compelling choice for two types of people. Namely, creative types who want to get work done on the go and plan to make good use of the optional Apple Pencil; and early adopters who just want the biggest, fastest possible iPad, and are willing to pay a premium for it. With no mouse support, a non-adjustable screen angle and an OS that isn't as well-suited to multitasking as OS X or Windows 10, it doesn't come close to replacing your laptop. But depending on your needs, it could serve as a decent stand-in when you're away from your primary machine.

  By Dana Wollman Read More

• Dyson's $1,200 robotic vacuum is expensive, but also the best

  Dyson is very confident about its new vacuum. Then again, with this price, it has to be. On sale now in Japan for just shy of 150,000 yen ($1,200), the 360 Eye is the company's first robotic model -- although it's not for lack of trying. It might be worth the wait, though: It actually cleans like you always hoped a robot vacuum would. It's so good, in fact, that I might have to fire my Roomba.

  By Mat Smith Read More

• The world's fastest consumer CPU probably isn't worth the upgrade

  If you're able to splurge on Intel's high-end Xeon CPUs, then congratulations, Mr. McDuck! For the rest of us, the next best option is Intel's fastest consumer processor, the Core i7-5960X. And that's nothing to sniff at either: The 3Ghz, eight-core chip runs $1,050 or so, and you'll need to spend more than usual on the motherboard and DDR4 memory. But what if you ask Intel nicely and then they go ahead and ship you one, like I did? Then you'll have this informal test, as I compare the i7-5960X to my six-core, $390 i7-5820K in both real-world and benchmark tests. Is it worth the extra $660? Hmm.

  By Steve Dent Read More

• GAME's 'Christmas Shopper' sequel is hilariously bad

  The insanity of Black Friday is almost upon us and to celebrate, British retailer GAME has dropped an intentionally bad PC and Mac title called Christmas Shopper Simulator 2: Black Friday. That's right, this is weirdly a sequel. The company pulled a similar stunt last year with a free game that had you running around a shopping centre and generally causing mayhem. Its follow-up has a near-identical premise filled with barmy challenges, ragdoll controls and poorly animated NPCs. Progressing through the game unlocks special rewards -- within 10 minutes I had earned the ability to switch to a first-person perspective -- but most of the entertainment comes from simply sprinting around like a lunatic. The bare-bones sandbox is also filled with absurd stores that play on popular games and British brands. To name but a few, there's a falconry shop called "Britain's Got Talons," an Irish cinema chain named "O'Deans" and "Snakes Solid Boxes." Depending on your perspective, the game is either downright bad or 'so bad, it's good.' We'll let you be the judge.

  By Nick Summers Read More

• iPad Pro review: Big and powerful, but it won't replace your laptop

  Here we are. Apple, the same company that once swore off styluses, and dismissed hybrid PCs as experiments gone wrong, is now selling a laptop/tablet mashup of its own. One that accepts pen input, at that. The new 12.9-inch iPad Pro went on sale last week, and though it is, in a sense, just an oversized iPad, it's also the closest thing we've seen yet to a hybrid device from Apple. With the screen real estate of a laptop, and the speed of a laptop, and various keyboard accessories allowing you to type on it like a laptop, the Pro seems like it might indeed be able to replace your notebook. In fact, Tim Cook himself has suggested as much in interviews. But with a starting price of $799, it isn't for everybody. And even then, it won't replace your laptop so much as complement it.

  By Dana Wollman Read More

• Ring's video doorbell let me banish unwanted visitors

  If you live in a well-heeled apartment building it's likely that you have the use of a video intercom. People ring your bell and you can not only speak to them, but see them as well, which is useful for screening out folks you don't want to invite in. Ring's $199 smart doorbell offers a similar solution for everyone else, swapping out a wall-mounted videophone for a direct connection to your smartphone. In the interests of science, I decided to drill some holes into my front porch and see if having one is worth the effort.

  By Daniel Cooper Read More

• Sony's X900C 4K television isn't perfect, but it makes a good case for Android TV

  We're already living in the future. Virtually every appliance in the modern home has become smarter thanks to ubiquitous internet connectivity, and the same goes for televisions as well. What used to simply be a monitor has quickly morphed into an all-in-one entertainment system. Heck, even having direct access to your entire online content collection and streaming services without so much as a set-top box is becoming standard fare. But does a TV that's as smart as my cellphone really make for a better viewing experience? To find out, I spent a month consuming my content on the Sony X900C, a ridiculously thin $2,400 (MSRP) flat panel 4K LCD TV, and one of the first powered by the Android TV operating system.

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• Here's what our readers think of the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus

  The iPhone 6s and 6s Plus aren't going to wow you with a new design -- that's not the point of Apple's 's' phones. Instead, they offer a lot of under-the-hood updates, including a faster processor, better cameras and the addition of a pressure-sensitive 3D Touch, leading our reviewer Chris Velazco to call the two phones "more than just a modest refresh." Now that many of our readers have gotten their mitts on one, we've taken a look at the user reviews to find out if the 6s and 6s Plus truly constitute a "worthy upgrade."

  By Kris Naudus Read More

• ASUS Chromebit review: Turn any display into a Chrome OS machine

  If you've got some spare time, search for the words "Android dongle" on eBay -- your screen will be filled with little, Android-powered HDMI doodads that purport to make your dumb TV smart. But what about Chrome OS, Google's other operating system? For years, it lived most prominently on notebooks, but the new $85 Chromebit from ASUS is Google's attempt to give Chrome OS even more of a life beyond the laptop. Got a spare monitor with an HDMI-in port? Or an HDTV that could stand to be smarter? Just pop in the Chromebit and voilà: Your dumb display is now a Chrome OS computer. It's not that powerful, and it's far from perfect, but the Chromebit is just cheap and just good enough to find a home in classrooms and tinkerers' dens.

  By Chris Velazco Read More

• Droid Turbo 2 review: What it lacks in style, it makes up for in power

  Verizon's line of Droid phones just celebrated its sixth birthday, and what better way to celebrate than by releasing the best device to ever bear the Droid title? I jokingly called Motorola's Droid Turbo 2 "a Moto X Pure on steroids," but there's no denying it packs even more power than its predecessor into a body that's built to take a beating. Throw in a battery rated for 48 hours and we should be left with a phone that will make Moto X owners rue the day they whipped out their credit cards, right? Turns out, the answer's a little more complicated.

  By Chris Velazco Read More

• OnePlus X review: Never settle for second best

  The OnePlus X breaks new ground for the young Chinese company. Making the X, OnePlus eschewed its usual formula of stuffing the best processor in a ridiculously cheap phone. Instead, it has repurposed the internals of its debut OnePlus One into a smaller phone with a lower $249 price tag. But in achieving that admittedly impressive feat, it's gone against its own mantra.

  By Aaron Souppouris Read More

• ASUS' $299 hybrid tablet is a good idea that's past its prime

  When ASUS launched the original Transformer Book T100 back in 2013, it had a relatively novel concept on its hands: a low-cost Windows tablet that could double as a laptop thanks to its included dock. The company clearly thinks it's still a good idea, since it recently released the Transformer Book T100HA with more powerful guts and Windows 10. But does this concept still hold water in 2015, when 2-in-1 Windows laptops are commonplace and mobile tablets are increasingly powerful? I've been living with the T100HA for several weeks to find out, and the truth is that it's no longer as sweet a deal as it once seemed. There are still many things to like about ASUS' hybrid, but you'll have to make some compromises that shouldn't really be necessary in modern hardware.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• YouTube Music isn't perfect, but it's still heaven for music nerds

  The new, ad-free YouTube Red subscription service that just arrived is only one part of Google's big re-imagining of YouTube taking place this year. The odd-duck YouTube Music Key service has graduated from beta and is being re-introduced as YouTube Music. The new app is available today for Android and iOS users, and you can use it whether or not you're signed up for YouTube Red. At first glance, YouTube Music is a bit of an enigma -- after all, Google already offers its own take on music streaming with Google Play Music. But after spending some time with the new YouTube Music app, it's clear that the new service isn't meant to mimic Google Play Music, Spotify, Apple Music, and all the rest. Instead, it's a music service for the millions of people who already do most of their music listening straight through YouTube itself. And if you're the kind of listener who likes to go deep down a band's rabbit hole, the wild depth of unofficial music on YouTube makes this app a lot of fun.

  By Nathan Ingraham Read More

• iFixit pries open the iPad Pro

  As they usually do, the folks at iFixit have welcomed the launch of a new device by grabbing their tools and taking a peek inside. This time the device being examined is Apple's iPad Pro, the bigger and better addition to its tablet family. The teardown is still ongoing at this time, but they've managed to tease out the device's logic board complete with 64-bit A9X CPU, 4GB of RAM and more. Interestingly, all of those components are now mounted in the center of the tablet, while its four speakers come at the cost of some potential battery space. Any nod on its repairability is yet to come, although the team has surprisingly discovered handy pull-tabs on its battery cells -- check out the teardown here for a better look at how super-sized tablet is put together/comes apart.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• I used an app to make custom molded earbuds in only a minute

  Earlier this week, we heard about the Revols, a pair of wireless earbuds that can be custom-fit to your ears in 60 seconds. In just a few short hours after it hit Kickstarter, Revols met and surpassed its $100,000 funding goal -- it's now earned a little over $326,000 in pledges. To learn what all the hype was about, I talked to the two co-founders and tried out a prototype version of the custom-fit earphones for myself. In sum? It works. In just under a minute, I had custom molded earbuds.

  By Nicole Lee Read More

• Apple Music on Android is near-identical to iOS, for better or worse

  Steve Jobs once famously said that launching iTunes for Windows was "like giving a glass of ice water to somebody in hell." Well, Apple has a second glass ready today: the company just released a beta of Apple Music for Android, the first app that really gives Android users a taste of one of Apple's flagship services. If you've used the somewhat-jumbled Apple Music app on iOS, you'll be quite familiar with its Android counterpart -- nearly all of the service's features are intact, and the user interface is a surprisingly tasteful blend of what Apple put together for iOS that still feels native to Android.

  By Nathan Ingraham Read More

• Master & Dynamic's MW60s are a stellar mix of style and sound

  My first experience with Master & Dynamic's audio gear was the time I spent with the MH40 wired headphones this summer. I noticed the company's knack for stellar design a while back, but I hadn't been able to give the goods a try. Now, the company continues its aesthetic prowess with a new set of cans: the MW60. Keeping many of the striking design details from the MH40, the MW60s nix the required cable in favor of Bluetooth connectivity. Those same materials that give the MH40s their attractive look are back once more. The combination of leather and metal not only looks sophisticated, but maintains comfort and keeps the extra heft to a minimum, even with the added wireless components. However, the added Bluetooth feature does arrive with a $149 price hike. I took a pre-production unit for a spin to see if they lived up to Master & Dynamic's reputation for stellar audio products, and here's what I found.

  By Billy Steele Read More

• Fallout 4's Pip-Boy is a glorified smartphone case

  "The Pip-Boy is an important part of Fallout and we love it so much we made a real one." Those words, delivered by game director Todd Howard at developer Bethesda Softworks' first-ever E3 media briefing this year, triggered cheers around the world. And thus, the Fallout 4 Pip-Boy Edition was born: a $120 special edition peripheral bundled with Fallout 4 that aims to mimic the game's wrist-bound menu and stat-tracking system. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the premium version of the game proved insanely popular, prompting Bethesda to apologize when it couldn't make any more units to meet demand. Not bad for a rather awkward looking piece of light brown plastic that sits on your arm and holds your cellphone. But is it actually worth the hype and high price?

  By Timothy J. Seppala Read More

• The Keurig Kold: You could just buy a mini-fridge instead

  As I took Keurig's Kold machine out of its box, the first thought that ran through my head was, "Man, Alton Brown would hate this." You see, the Good Eats and Cutthroat Kitchen host has a vendetta against single-use kitchen gadgets: that is, products designed to do one thing and one thing alone. And it's usually a purpose that could easily be replicated by another doodad already living in your kitchen. In the case of the Kold, a device that dispenses single servings of cold drinks at the touch of a button, that doodad would be your fridge.

  By Kris Naudus Read More

• Sony Xperia Z5 review: A decent phone overshadowed by the competition

  At the start of 2015, Sony effectively gave up on making smartphones in the hope of recapturing former glories. Its mobile division now loses the company nearly $2 million per day even after being slimmed down to a fraction of its former size. The few devices that it launches each year are merely placeholders; products designed to keep the company's hand in just in case the next next big thing requires mobile expertise. It's an unenviable position for Sony's employees, knowing that they're effectively operating in a vacuum. When faced with that truth, there are only three options available to them: give up, throw every mad idea at the wall, or build a grand valediction and go out on a high. This is the starting point from which we will begin our examination of the mid-range Xperia Z5.

  By Daniel Cooper Read More

• I electroshocked my brain and I feel great!

  For years I've relied on caffeine and cannabis to modulate my moods. It's an effective, albeit slightly illegal, system and not without its side effects. Too much coffee and I become a jittery, hyperactive mess. Too much cannabis and I spend the next few hours taking a weed nap. But that's where the Thync comes in. It's a tiny, head-mounted device that is supposed to discretely modulate your moods by gently zapping your brain with pulses of electricity. But can the power of Tesla really get me out of an emotional funk the way a doppio espresso and some dab rips can?

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• Apple TV review (2015): A huge leap forward, unless you want 4K

  For years, Apple TV has been like a perpetually ignored child, eclipsed by its overachieving siblings, the iPhone and iPad. Design-wise, it hasn't changed at all since 2010, and it's been shackled with one of the most archaic Apple interfaces around, which harkens back to the iPod days. All the while Roku and even Amazon have stepped up their game considerably. Now, with the fourth-generation Apple TV, the set-top box that's been deemed merely as a "hobby" by its parent has finally come into its own. It has more powerful hardware, a significantly redesigned remote and an operating system that's worthy of an Apple product in 2015. And finally, there's a genuine app store, which turns Apple TV into a legitimate platform for entertainment and gaming in your living room. It isn't quite the "future of television" that Apple is promising, but it's getting there.

  By Devindra Hardawar Read More

• I didn't listen to a pair of $55,000 headphones

  I was supposed to try out Sennheiser's new Orpheus headphones yesterday. Priced at $55,000 and a decade in the making, they're a reimagining of the company's 1990 model of the same name. But just as I put their opulent band over my head, before even a single note had played, the prototype headphones stopped working. I was crestfallen. But the more I think about it, the more it doesn't matter.

  By Aaron Souppouris Read More

• BlackBerry Priv review: Android alone can't save the company

  Sports fans often say that their team could pull itself out of a losing streak if only it'd play that exciting but untested, kid who's usually consigned to the bench. Gadgets fans sing a similar hymn about BlackBerry, opining that it would have remained relevant if it'd adopted Android to run on its phones. Now, several years too late, we're going to see what the long-deposed world champion can do with the world's most popular operating system. The result is the Priv, a premium Android smartphone-cum-hail-Mary that's offering two things other companies can't: Privilege and Privacy. It's also packing a slide-out physical keyboard, a 5.4-inch curved display and, naturally, the company's famous security software. But the device has something else that we've not seen in a BlackBerry phone since the launch of the Q10: the expectation that the device might actually be worth buying.

  By Daniel Cooper Read More

• Pebble Time Round review: A prettier design comes with tradeoffs

  Earlier this year, Pebble released two new smartwatches: The Time and the Time Steel. Both feature color e-ink displays, an updated "Timeline" interface, support for voice replies, and a new accessory port that promises to increase the watch's functionality over time through third-party "smart straps." But two watches wasn't enough for Pebble. In September, the company unveiled yet another new model: the Pebble Time Round. As its name suggests, it's basically just a circular version of the Time, and will be available in stores starting November 8th for $249. It's also thinner, lighter and the strap comes in both 14mm and 20mm widths, making it ideal for smaller wrists. But with this more fashionable look comes a couple of concessions: it has much shorter battery life than its predecessors and isn't nearly as water-resistant. The Time Round is, without a doubt, the best-looking device the company has ever put out, but those tradeoffs lessen its value considerably.

  By Nicole Lee Read More

• A week with FreedomPop in the UK: You can't argue with free

  Between the four main carriers and numerous tier-two operators in the UK, we're spoilt for choice when it comes to picking a mobile network. And yet, we've now got another new player to consider that does things a little differently. FreedomPop's mobile service launched towards the end of September (it's already established in the US), with its main attraction being a completely free, barebones tariff. Though it sounds too good to be true, the "Basic 200" plan gives you 200 minutes, 200 texts and 200MB of 4G data each month, gratis. So... what's the catch? Well, there isn't one really, as long as you stay within those allowances. FreedomPop does intend to make money, of course, through overage charges, value-added services and its paid SIM-only plans. While many of you may well be awaiting delivery of a FreedomPop SIM, I managed to take the service for a test drive last week, and this is how I fared.

  By Jamie Rigg Read More

• Apple CarPlay review: A useful companion, even in its early stages

  It's been two years since Apple announced its plot to put your iPhone's core features inside the dash of your car, but only now is its CarPlay software becoming available in lots of new models. In brief, CarPlay allows you to connect your trusty iOS device to a vehicle's infotainment system to make things like texts, maps and music accessible from the console. Sure, the goal is to provide an easier way to use your phone on the road, but it also nixes the distraction of swiping through screens on the phone itself. To put CarPlay through its paces, I hit the highway for a 7.5-hour road trip in a 2016 Camaro SS, a model that'll arrive soon at your local dealer. From Philadelphia to Raleigh, North Carolina, I used it to navigate, find food and stream in-car entertainment along the way. This first version of Apple's software for the car is certainly useful, but as I found, there's room for improvement.

  By Billy Steele Read More

• On the court with the promising Qlipp tennis sensor

  It wasn't long ago that we rounded up a collection of gadgets aimed at tennis players -- everything from fitness trackers to sensor-laden rackets. But this is still a young market and we've seen several new entries since then. Equipment maker Babolat announced the Pop, a stat-tracking sensor housed in a wristband, back in August. Meanwhile, a new name is entering this growing field. A small team called 9 Degrees Freedom successfully crowdfunded the Qlipp -- a small sensor going for $99 in pre-release deals before jumping to its regular $129 price. It's a "universal" device that should work with nearly any racket and the company boldly claims it's the "ultimate tennis performance sensor." I received a pre-release version several weeks ago and, thanks to a nagging foot injury, I ended up spending far longer with the device than I anticipated. That added time gave me the chance to watch the accompanying app evolve as the Qlipp neared its December release and while the typical crowdfunding growing pains are evident, I do like where the company's going with this device.

  By Philip Palermo Read More

• Wilson's X connected basketball is fun, but not ready for prime time

  I am not a good basketball player. I am average at best, which is ironic for someone who loves Jordan sneakers. Still, that doesn't keep me from playing the sport recreationally, even if I end up making a fool of myself most of the time. But because I love watching NBA and NCAA games on TV, I enjoy hooping every now and then to pretend I'm the closest thing to Tim Duncan since Anthony Davis. The sad truth, though, is shooting just isn't my forte. That's part of the reason I wanted to take the Wilson X connected basketball for a spin. Launched in September, it promises to improve your scoring skills by keeping track of valuable performance data, including how many shots you're making or missing and your most efficient spots across the court. It is supposed to be the basketball of the future.

  By Edgar Alvarez Read More

• Roku 4 review: 4K is nice, but otherwise it's not a huge upgrade

  It's no surprise that the Roku 4 is a solid set-top box -- Roku has been making them for a while now, after all. It's also not surprising that the new Roku's search is smart, that the interface is fast and fluid or that there's a bountiful selection of apps. In fact, there isn't much that's truly surprising, or revolutionary, about the Roku 4 ($130). It's a solid, if somewhat unexciting upgrade, especially after the Roku 3 from earlier this year, which brought voice search into the mix. Just like the new Fire TV, Roku is betting that the addition of 4K ultra-high-definition video (UHD) is exciting enough on its own. And, while it's certainly noteworthy, it's also something that will only appeal to just a handful of consumers. Basically, if you're happy with your Roku 3, or any other equivalent set-top box, you won't need to rush out and grab this one. Although when you do finally go 4K, it's a worthy choice.

  By Devindra Hardawar Read More

• Microsoft's Surface Book is near impossible to fix yourself

  If you took one look at Microsoft's unique Surface Book and guessed that it'd be an absolute bear to fix... you guessed well. The do-it-yourself repair crew at iFixit has torn down the hybrid laptop, and it's just as tough to repair as the Surface Pro line despite the larger two-piece design. Just about everything is glued or soldered, and the "upside down" circuitry means that you'll usually be yanking out the whole motherboard to access parts. About the only thing you can realistically replace is the solid-state drive, and that's provided that you can get the system open. The inaccessibility isn't completely surprising -- Microsoft had to slim down that oddball shape somehow, and fused-together components are usually how you do it. Still, this may be a disappointment if you were hoping to keep the Surface Book in tip-top shape without paying someone else to fix it.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• A weekend with the new Apple TV

  The iPhone 6S and iPad Pro are cool and all, but the Apple gadget that I was most looking forward to this fall was the new Apple TV. It is, quite notoriously, the device that Apple has most publicly neglected over the years. Its last big update was way back in 2012, when Apple finally added 1080p support. And even that third-gen Apple TV wasn't too exciting, since it looked exactly the same as the one released in 2010. So yah, it was about time Apple totally rethought its approach to TV. After finally getting to test one out over the weekend, I found that the new fourth-generation Apple TV was worth the wait -- though there are still plenty of issues to iron out.

  By Devindra Hardawar Read More

• Battlezone's PSVR reboot is the ultimate fan service

  It could be argued that Atari's 1980 arcade classic Battlezone was the first virtual reality game. In a simple duel of tanks, players looked through a small opening in the cabinet to maneuver their lumbering vehicle, firing at a single enemy and avoiding being struck by projectiles. The game's wireframe design was graphically simplistic, but stenciled in thin green lines on the horizon was a single object that drew the attention of fans: an erupting volcano. Rumors swirled of a secret route that would lead players to the volcano's crater where a castle lay awaiting brave explorers. "Of course, none of this was true," Atari engineer Lyle Rains pointed out in Van Burnham's 2001 book Supercade. But that didn't stop the dreamers. In one case, a fan even wrote to Atari to tell the company he'd reached the mythical castle. After decades of speculation, developer Rebellion, best known for the Sniper Elite series, is rebooting Battlezone for Sony's PlayStation VR and taking players into the heart of the volcano.

  By Aaron Souppouris Read More

• Wileyfox's Storm is as chic as £199 smartphones come

  New smartphone brand Wileyfox arrived on the scene brandishing the Swift, a midish-range device with an agreeable £129 price tag. Last week, it followed up with the Storm, its second contract-free handset you could call Wileyfox's flagship. A flagship of sorts, anyhow, since at £199 it's only a fraction of the price of true top-tier handsets. Now, the Swift is a perfectly charming device, but it doesn't feel like it's punching above its weight to any extent. The orange accents and quirky circular earpiece give it some character, but the physical buttons are plastic, the back panel removable. There's nothing wrong with that, of course, but its compact size and general build quality are more or less what you'd expect from an affordable device. The newer Storm, on the other hand, is only £70 more expensive, and yet it feels like it's batting in a completely different league.

  By Jamie Rigg Read More

Robotics (34)

• Mind-controlled robot gives the disabled a taste of home

  Brain-controlled robot limbs have already helped the disabled gain some mobility, but full-fledged robots have proven elusive: how do you use thoughts to steer a free-roaming machine? Swiss researchers think they have the answer. They've developed a mind-controlled telepresence robot that lets those with motor disabilities travel when it would otherwise be impractical. It's ultimately a laptop on a pedestal, but it uses clever semi-autonomous software to take the hard work out of controlling where the robot goes. You only have to don an EEG-based cap and imagine moving your hands or feet -- the robot plots a path based on your commands, and avoids obstacles all on its own.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• DJI's MG-1 drone is water-resistant, dustproof.. and made for farming

  DJI's newest drone isn't its sexiest: it's a specialized, toughened agricultural drone. Yep, hard to get excited about unless you're a farmer perhaps, but the Agras MG-1 is dust-proof, water resistant and constructed from anti-corrosive materials. Smart decisions for an agriculture drone, but also ones we wouldn't mind some extra peace of mind in the consumer drones we pilot in the suburbs and cities. (Rain is a real danger, okay?) The MG-1 can even be rinsed clean after a day on ranch. When it comes to crop-spraying, the drone can carry over 10kgs of product -- and DJI pegs it at over 40 times more efficient than manual spraying -- although it uses a watering can to illustrate the comparison...

  By Mat Smith Read More

• 'Spencer' the robot is here to help guide lost airline passengers

  Meet Spencer. This armless automaton will begin a test run in Schiphol Amsterdam Airport at the end of the month, greeting and guiding harried travellers through the transport hub's famously confusing terminal system. Navigating it is so challenging, in fact, that KLM airlines donated a large part of the project's funding because so many of its customers were getting lost and missing flights. To ensure that doesn't happen anymore, Spencer is equipped with laser range-finding eyes and detailed maps of the airport's interior.

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• Pepper robots are getting fashionable makeovers

  Pepper, Softbank's adorable emotion-sensing robot, is rapidly becoming the victim of its own cuteness after owners began dressing it up in wacky costumes. The Wall Street Journal has found that buyers of the device got together to form an intricate craft circle, making outfits for the device that won't interfere with its sensors. Head on over to Rierie and you'll find a wide variety of dresses, t-shirts and wigs that'll turn the appliance into a cross between a surrogate child and a cat you put in suits for Halloween. Interestingly, users can also buy makeup stickers and earrings to make the androgynous robot appear more masculine or feminine than when sold. It's become enough of a phenomenon that the store accepts global orders, so if you're looking for an attractive kimono for your droid, it'll cost you 20,000 yen ($163).

  By Daniel Cooper Read More

• ICYMI: Smartest lights yet, robots on the farm and more

  #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-433187{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-433187, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-433187{width:570px;display:block;}try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-433187").style.display="none";}catch(e){}Today on In Case You Missed It: BeOn Home has made smart lightbulbs that recognize noises like a doorbell or fire alarm and turn on accordingly. A robot designed to check fertilizer levels and smash weeds should help the average family farmer one day. And the US Army is checking its soldier's brain waves to understand what part of an image captures their attention.

  By Kerry Davis Read More

• Australia's using drones to protect its coasts from sharks

  While shark attacks are rare in Australia, every year a handful of people lose their lives while swimming off the country's coastlines. New South Wales (NSW) government officials know there is no easy way to reduce risks, but have committed to spending AU$16 million ($11.6 million) on a new "shark strategy," which includes drone patrols and deploying GPS technology to make its beaches safer. As part of the drone trial starting today, operators will send out drones off the coast of Coffs Harbour (located midway between Sydney and Brisbane), which will feed back live footage of any marine life swimming in shallow water and let them alert swimmers and surfers of any risks in the area.

  By Matt Brian Read More

• Rowing robot powers itself by gulping dirty water

  One day, you might see robots that not only survive in hazardous environments, but thrive in them. University of Bristol researchers have built Row-bot, a swimming robot that powers itself by feeding on dirty water. Its paddle both propels it forward and helps its microbial fuel cell gulp down the nutrients it needs to generate electricity. This robot might never need refueling so long as it's wading through unpleasant seas, whether they're full of algae or oil.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Oddball machine makes 'analog' techno music with vinyl records

  Many techno DJs are used to playing music on vinyl, but creating it? That's another matter. However, Graham Dunning has found a wonderfully strange way to make that idea work. His Mechanical Techno device produces full-on dance tracks by driving several heavily modified records at once with a turntable, with each record relying on unique triggers to produce a sound. Electrical contacts will produce a synth sound as one record spins around, for instance, while piezoelectric triggers create that all-important beat on another disc. The result is techno that's at once analog and not. It sounds digital, but it has the imprecision and unpredictability that you'd never get from software.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• The Marines start training Google's 160-pound robo-dog Spot

  Spot, the silent robo-dog made by Google-owned company Boston Dynamics, enjoyed the great outdoors for a week back in September. Not to fetch sticks or roll around in the grass, but to train... with the Marines. It's gone a long way since its time stalking indoors, getting kicked by well-meaning engineers. The corps tested Spot's ability to traverse terrains rougher than concrete floors, such as hills, woodlands and cities, controlling it from 500 meters away with a laptop and a video game controller. It was apparently so easy to pilot the quadruped, even a four-year-old could do it.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• These are the robots taking our jobs

  Robots have been helping out around the house for decades, but now that they've been at it for a while, they're almost ready to be deployed into the work force. It's a trial period really and these new synthetic staffers aren't always well-suited to the vocation they've ended up in. Still, they can be found working anywhere from the likes of the kitchen, to the hospitality industry and even testing the waters of super stardom. How's this all going to work out? It's too early to tell, but we've prepared a focus group so you can decide for yourself.

  By Jon Turi Read More

• DARPA wants your crazy robot pitches

  DARPA is known for its amazing tech and scary robots. But it knows that somewhere out there, others are thinking of sweet automatons to help the Department of Defense. To that end, it has teamed up with Open Source Robotics Foundation for the Robotics Fast Track (RFT) program to give people outside the government the chance to pitch their robot idea. While it's happy to accept pitches about land and air devices, what it's really interested in is space and maritime hardware. According to DARPA program manager Mark Micire, building for both those environments is incredibly difficult. So, if you have a sweet submarine that can track other objects underwater without cracking under extreme pressure, you might want to hit them up.

  By Roberto Baldwin Read More

• NASA sends its Valkyrie humanoid robots to college

  NASA wants to send its 6-foot-tall, 290-pound humanoid robot R5 (which also goes by the more intimidating name "Valkyrie") to Mars and other extraterrestrial locations. The agency originally designed the R5 for search-and-rescue missions, though, so to prepare the machine for a future of exploration in harsh environments, it's sending two units to college. One will go to MIT, specifically to the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL), and the other to Northeastern University in Boston. The institutions were chosen from among the groups that joined DARPA's Robotics Challenge, and each will receive $250,000 per year for two years to finance their research.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Robots learn to grasp objects by practicing and teaching each other

  Even for robots, practice makes perfect. At least that's how it works for the technique developed by Brown University assistant professor Stefanie Tellex, which teaches robots how to pick up objects so they can relay the info to other robots. Tellex has been working on the technique with the help of an industrial machine called Baxter, which has two hands and a touchscreen face. These slightly human-shaped automatons use cameras and infrared sensors to examine an object -- they then pick it up from various angles using different grasps in order to find the most secure way to hold it. Once they do determine the perfect grip, the information is encoded in a format that can be shared online and uploaded onto other robots' brains.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Pop-up sensor would give robot surgeons a sense of touch

  Robotic surgery is no longer the stuff of science fiction. However, these robots can't really feel their way around -- the need for super-small mechanisms rules out existing approaches to touch. That's where Harvard researchers might come to save the day. They've developed a pop-up sensor whose four layers collapse to a tiny footprint (just a tenth of an inch) when necessary, but expand into a 3D sensor thanks to a built-in spring. The design is extremely sensitive, too, with a light intensity sensor that can detected mere millinewtons of force.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• German robot practices hitting humans to ensure future safety

  Roland Behrens, a German scientist, wants to teach robots how not to kill humans. But first, he needs to know how hard they can hit before causing any serious damage. According to a Bloomberg report, a team of researchers at the Fraunhofer IFF Institute in Germany is focused on finding a way for machines to coexist with humans, without hurting them. They've devised a machine that hits a group of volunteers on the arm or the shoulder so that they can study the impact at the highest mass and the lowest velocity. After the pendulum-like robot arm strikes, the volunteer rates the pain on a scale of one to ten. The team stops testing when the pain reaches five and the subjects are then put through an ultrasound to check for bruises from the impact.

  By Mona Lalwani Read More

• Vending machine dispenses your new car like a soft drink

  Believe it or not, there are already vending machines for cars. However, they typically require that you walk over to your new ride -- it's not much more than a cute take on what you'd see at a regular dealership. Carvana isn't happy with this state of affairs, though. The retailer is launching an automated vending machine that delivers your car to you, much like a regular machine dispenses your foodstuff of choice. When you drop in a specially supplied coin (no, you're not depositing real cash), the robotic system fetches your ride from a 20-car tower and brings it to one of three delivery bays. You only have to wait patiently on the ground.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• The Alpha 2 robot will dance its way into your house and your heart

  The field of human-like household robots got a little more crowded today as Ubtech Robotics launched a crowdfunding campaign for its new Alpha 2 humanoid companion-bot. This diminutive domestic drone is designed on the same premise as today's smartphones -- that is, it offers a responsive, intuitive and attractive platform on which to build intelligent and useful functionality. As such, the Alpha 2 is fully programmable, operates on an open-source OS and offers cutting-edge sensory inputs including ultrasonic, touch and pressure sensors. And unlike Pepper and Buddy, Alpha 2 actually has legs. In fact, with more than 20 servos packed into its joints, this robot is surprisingly spry.

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• Loyal robot dog waits for you to walk through the door

  WowWee, a smart toy company, has unveiled a robotic dog with blue-green LED eyes. The dog, aptly called CHiP (short for Canine Home Intelligent Pet), sits with the tap of a button, picks up your presence in the room via bluetooth and plays fetch. The sensor-loaded pup comes with a toy-watch looking wristband that allows it to pick up your whereabouts. When you're happy with your "pet's" response, you can press down a thumbs up on the wristband as a sign of approval -- it's the digital equivalent of a belly rub.

  By Mona Lalwani Read More

• Robot watches store shelves so you don't leave empty-handed

  Few things are more annoying while shopping than finding out that a store hasn't bothered to stock what you want... assuming you know to look for it in the first place. A robot may just come to your rescue, though. Simbe Robotics is launching an autonomous robot, Tally, that scans store shelves and lets workers know when goods are running out or misplaced. Shops no longer have to make a human trudge through the aisles -- they only have to send someone out when supplies are low. Tally can work during normal business hours, and it even has a Roomba-like charging dock so that it can top itself up in mid-shift.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• NVIDIA's 'mobile supercomputer' can make machines smarter

  Hardware developers looking for a quick way to add machine learning to their devices just got some help from Nvidia. The GPU-centric company announced the Jetson TX1 developer module with an emphasis on machine learning. The device could lower the lead time needed to create machines that rely the on computations needed for dynamic input and computations. This includes: autonomous drones, facial recognition and behavioral analysis within a crowd and computer vision. The TX1 development kit replaces the Nvidia TK1 launched last year. The tiny supercomputer pushes one terraflop of performance, networks via ethernet and 802.11 ac, is under 10 watts and ships with Linux installed. Oh, and you can play Doom on it. The TX1 developer kit will be available for preorder on November 12 and will ship on November 16. The retail price is $599 with educators and students able to grab one for $299. The stand-alone module will be $299 and will ship in the first quarter of 2016.

  By Roberto Baldwin Read More

• ICYMI: Perfect temp mug, MIT's wiggly robot and more

  #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-621697{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-621697, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-621697{width:570px;display:block;} try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-621697").style.display="none";}catch(e){}Today on In Case You Missed It: MIT's Media Lab created the LineFORM out of a wiggly bit of robotics that can morph into different shapes, like a telephone or a data connecting cable. Meanwhile a $130 mug will let you set the perfect temperature for your java. And an Indiegogo campaign for a head-mounted camera that makes users look like waylaid super heros is well short of its funding goal, which is probably good because we would hate to see them out in the world.

  By Kerry Davis Read More

• MIT's shape-shifting bot can be a phone, lamp or exoskeleton

  MIT's Media Lab has created LineFORM, a "Shape Changing Interface" that presents new ways for us to interact with technology. LineFORM is a serpentine robot that has the ability to form a number of shapes, mixing flexibility with rigidity. The lab's Tangible Media Group believes it opens up "new possibilities for display, interaction, and body constraint," and has demonstrated its potential for all three on video.

  By Aaron Souppouris Read More

• The Hexo drone is your flying selfie companion

  #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-916057{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-916057, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-916057{width:570px;display:block;} try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-916057").style.display="none";}catch(e){}Hiring a film crew to capture your action sport exploits can cost thousands of dollars an hour while trying to take selfies as you barrel full-tilt down the side of a mountain is a great way to wind up in traction. But with the HEXO+ UAV from Squadrone Systems, you won't have to do either. This semi-autonomous aerial camera platform pairs to your phone via Bluetooth and faithfully tracks movement, keeping you (or at least your phone) centered in the shot. I recently took an early production model out for a walk at San Francisco's Fort Funston to see how well the HEXO+ actually performs and wound up starring in my own low-speed action flick.

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• ICYMI: Record-setting bot walk, holographic drones and more

  #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-309632{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-309632, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-309632{width:570px;display:block;} try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-309632").style.display="none";}catch(e){}Today on In Case You Missed It: Researchers from Queens University built tiny quadcopters that can join to form a hologram display, hovering in mid-air. A Guinness World Record for furthest distance by a quadruped robot was set in China by a quirky cute robot we'd love to see more of. And we're into this Kickstarter project for a device that would turn any watch into a smartwatch with vibration for notifications, a heart rate monitor and control for music and photos.

  By Kerry Davis Read More

• Dear first-generation sex robot ...

  It appears we're on the brink of a robo-sexual revolution. Some have claimed that you'll be, like the selfie, a socially derided mainstay by 2025. Other, more conservative, estimates posit that having sex with you will be either commonplace or more popular than human-on-human sex by 2050. Whatever the case, you're coming -- or should I say arriving -- soon.

  By Christopher Trout Read More

• Researchers turn a swarm of drones into a physical hologram

  The augmented reality interface in Minority Report was futuristic, but what it lacked were objects that you could physically touch, according to researchers from Queens University. The problem is that the film's virtual interface floats in mid-air, and physical objects tend to be ground-bound. To get around that, the team developed a system called BitDrones, with flying nano-drones serving several functions. "PixelDrones" have a basic LED display to show information, "ShapeDrones" are cubic objects that form a physical 3D "display," and "DisplayDrones" contain a touchscreen interface. All of them, plus the human operator, are tracked with a 3D motion capture system.

  By Steve Dent Read More

• Boston company launches spy drone that can fly indefinitely

  Boston company CyPhy Works has just launched the commercial version of the Persistent Aerial Reconnaissance and Communications (PARC) drone, which can stay up in the air for however long you want it to. The military's been using it to monitor its compounds for quite a while now, but the $22 million the company raised in an investment round enabled it to manufacture the product for commercial release. PARC can fly up to 500 feet, and it never has to land thanks to a microfilament attached to it that can transmit both power and data.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Drone fights fires by dropping flaming balls

  The thought of a fire-starting robot would normally have us fleeing in terror, but we'll make an exception for this one. Researchers are developing a drone, the Unmanned Aerial System for Fire Fighting (UAS-FF), that helps contain and prevent fires by dropping ping pong-sized flaming balls. If you need to burn grass before it fuels an uncontrolled blaze, you just program the drone to drop its chemically-ignited cargo in a specific pattern -- you don't have to send in a costly aircraft or face the risks of starting fires on the ground. It'll be a while before you see UAS-FF in service, but it's already nice to see a drone that helps firefighting instead of getting in the way. [Image credit: Craig Chandler/University Communications]

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• 'Robotic fingers' make your dumb appliances smarter

  Naran, a South Korean startup, has developed a series novel devices that transforms analog, push-button devices into internet-connected tools for your smart home. The devices, dubbed "Microbot Push" are low-power Bluetooth gadgets that pull commands from an internet hub and physically push analog buttons on, say, your old blender or the toaster oven. That's a radically different functionality than conventional "wall wart" IoT-enablers -- like the Brio or Nyrius -- which simply control the electrical circuits that power your appliances. Additionally, the Microbots can either be manually activated through the associated smartphone app or be automated in much the same way that IFTTT works. Naran plans to launch an Indiegogo campaign for the devices on November 9th.

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• ICYMI: Floating wind farm, autonomous robot delivery & more

  #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-570480{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-570480, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-570480{width:570px;display:block;} try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-570480").style.display="none";}catch(e){}Today on In Case You Missed It: Delivery company Starship Technologies will begin testing sidewalk-scooting autonomous delivery robots next year in London and the U.S. They can go up to 4 miles-per-hour and carry about 20 pounds worth of whatever it is you've ordered. Scotland's coast will be home to Europe's largest offshore wind farm. And Georgia Tech researchers are studying fire ants to try to engineer self-healing materials.

  By Kerry Davis Read More

• Autonomous drone can avoid obstacles even in unfamiliar environments

  Andrew Barry, a PhD student at MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab (CSAIL), has developed a detection algorithm that allows UAVs to avoid objects on their own. Even better, it works even if the planes don't have existing knowledge/data about a particular location. Barry believes an algorithm faster than existing ones is necessary for truly autonomous drones. LIDAR laser systems, he said, are typically too heavy for small, personal UAVs, while current algorithms are too slow to match their speed.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• DJI drones to help Devon, Cornwall and Dorset police fight crime

  Drones have been used for all sorts of devious deeds, but now they're being used to save lives too. Police in two English counties, Devon and Cornwall, have recruited a pair of DJI Inspire 1 drones to help with crime scene photography and missing people searches. The two new quadcopters are based in Exeter and Plymouth, and so far three officers have obtained the CAA qualification necessary to fly them. Police in Dorset are now preparing for a similar trial, and hope to have access to their own drone from November 26th.

  By Nick Summers Read More

• Skype co-founders build delivery bot that rides on sidewalks

  While companies like Amazon and Google are betting on airborne drones for the future of delivery, two of the founders of Skype are taking a more pedestrian approach. They've created a company called Starship Technologies, and its eponymous robots are autonomous rovers that drive along sidewalks to carry packages at an average speed of 4mph. The aim is to deliver "two grocery bags" worth of goods (weighing up to 20lbs) in 5-30 minutes for "10-15 times less than the cost of current last-mile delivery alternatives."

  By Aaron Souppouris Read More

• DJI wants you to build sentient drones with its tiny computer

  DJI has created a computer called Manifold that extends the capabilities of its Matrice test drone. It's a platform for developers to build on, which DJI says can turn drones into "truly intelligent flying robots that can perform complex computing tasks and advanced image processing." Think of it as something like an overpowered Arduino built specifically for drones. As well as customized ports for interfacing with the Matrice, the Manifold has USB, Ethernet, Mini-PCIe, HDMI, UART, SPI and I2C ports, which allow for all manner of sensors and add-ons to be connected. It's powered by an Nvidia K1 processor with Kepler graphics, runs Ubuntu 14.04 LTS (a version of Linux with "long-term support"), and weighs less than 200g.

  By Aaron Souppouris Read More

Samsung (2)

• Samsung Pay gets support for cards from Chase bank

  Today, Samsung's making good on a promise recently made to people in the US. The company has announced that its mobile payments system, Samsung Pay, now works with Visa debit and credit cards from Chase bank. Last month, Samsung also said the app would be adding support for gift cards from "top" retailers in entertainment, dining, grocery and fashion, but this feature hasn't officially launched yet. Nevertheless, this shows Samsung is serious about expanding Pay and that, most importantly, it's getting the backing it needs from banks, retailers as well as carriers.

  By Edgar Alvarez Read More

• Samsung's latest ATIV laptop gets a 4K screen, discrete graphics

  Samsung's ATIV Book 9 series has mostly targeted Ultrabook buyers with lightweight, powerful and pricey models like the ATIV Book 9 Plus. However, the company's latest model, the ATIV Book 9 Pro is now suited for demanding users like gamers and graphics pros, thanks to workstation-class specs. It's equipped with the latest sixth-gen Intel Core i7 CPUs, a 15.6-inch 4K display with optional NVIDIA GeForce GTX 950M graphics and 6.5 hours of battery life, all squeezed into a 4.45 pound all-aluminum body. Like other ATIV Book 9 models, it also features a slim, tapered front profile.

  By Steve Dent Read More

Science (67)

• Researchers create magic sponge to clean up oil spills

  Researchers at Australia's Deakin University claim to have developed a new material that's capable of cleaning up large oil spills in a flash. A team, led by Professor Ying Chen, has created a new method that uses boron nitride powder as the building block for a sponge that can absorb oil separate from water. Since you couldn't just sprinkle the substance onto the area around a crashed oil tanker, it had to be built into a porous 3D structure. In doing so, the team has been able to increase the surface area per gram to roughly five and a half tennis courts.

  By Daniel Cooper Read More

• Gates, Zuckerberg and Bezos invest in huge clean energy fund

  After announcing the Mission Innovation program to convince nations to double their clean energy investment budgets, Bill Gates has launched another massive initiative at the United Nations Climate Change conference in Paris. The Breakthrough Energy Coalition is backed by a who's who of tech leaders, including Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, Jack Ma and Richard Branson. The idea is to develop new green technology that will increase the world's energy output -- especially in poor countries -- without contributing to global warming. Such tech, however, poses a risk that regular investors might shy away from. "We need the basic research, but we need to pair that with people who are willing to fund high-risk, breakthrough energy companies," said Gates.

  By Steve Dent Read More

• Virtual wound will teach medics how to treat soldiers

  Field medics have ways to practice their craft before they're helping soldiers on the battlefield, but it's hard for them to understand how wounds work until they're involved in a life-or-death rescue. UCLA scientists may have the tool these medics need, however: they've developed the first detailed injury simulation to show medics what to expect. The virtual gash could make you a bit queasy (sorry!), but it's uncannily accurate. A mix of fluid dynamics and in-depth mechanics (such as bones, skin and vessels) makes sure that blood flows much as it would from a real person.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Turning sunlight into clean fuel is now cheap and simple

  Scientists have already produced artificial photosynthesis, but it has been an exotic process until now. You aren't about to replace the oxygen-giving plants around your home, in other words. However, researchers at Florida State University researcher have found a way to make it practical. They've developed a single-layer manganese oxide material that efficiently traps sunlight and makes it easy to break down that energy into hydrogen and oxygen. Current light-gathering techniques, like solar cells, frequently need multiple layers just to work at all -- this would be far cheaper and simpler to make.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Scientists show that gene editing can 'turn off' human diseases

  Gene editing has already been used to fight diseases, but there's now hope that it might eliminate the diseases altogether. Researchers have shown that it's possible to eliminate facial muscular dystrophy using a newer editing technique, CRISPR (Clusters of Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) to replace the offending gene and 'turn off' the condition. The approach sends a mix of protein and RNA to bind to a gene and give it an overhaul.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• ICYMI: Plant-powered lamps, livestreaming AI and more

  #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-852982{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-852982, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-852982{width:570px;display:block;}try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-852982").style.display="none";}catch(e){}Today on In Case You Missed It: A coder from the Netherlands used a live webcam feed for a walk around Amsterdam, running neural network code that identified everything in view. Despite some obvious set-backs (it thought the creator was wearing a suit when he really wore a zip-up hoodie, natch), it impressively identified boats in a river and stacks of bikes. Researchers in Peru invented prototype lamps that run off of the bacteria of living plants. And a new security system for the camera-hacking adverse works by setting up a motion-detecting mesh network.

  By Kerry Davis Read More

• Data-mined photos document 100 years of (forced) smiling

  Here's an odd fact: Turn-of-the-century photographers used to tell subjects to say "prunes" rather than "cheese," so that they would smile less. By studying nearly 38,000 high-school yearbook photos taken since 1905, UC Berkeley researchers have shown just how much smiling, fashion and hairstyles have changed over the years. The goal was not just to track trends, but figure out how to apply modern data-mining techniques and machine learning to a much older medium: photographs. Their research could advance deep-learning algorithms for dating historical photos and help historians study how social norms change over time.

  By Steve Dent Read More

• Scientists create gold nuggets that are 98 percent air

  Researchers at ETH Zurich have accomplished a bit of modern-day alchemy, transforming 20 carat gold into a lightweight foam. Well, technically it's an aerogel: an exceedingly light and porous matrix of material. It's so porous, in fact, that the foam doesn't conduct electricity because, at atmospheric pressure, the gold atoms within the structure don't actually touch. "The so-called aerogel is a thousand times lighter than conventional gold alloys. It is lighter than water and almost as light as air," Raffaele Mezzenga, Professor of Food and Soft Materials at ETHZ, said in a statement.

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• Scientists use 'spooky action' to mail electron messages a mile

  Researchers at Stanford University announced Tuesday that they had successfully leveraged the "spooky" interaction of entangled electrons to send a message between them over a span of 1.2 miles. This is by far the longest distance that scientists have managed to send entangled particles and provides the strongest evidence to date that quantum computing can have practical applications.

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• ICYMI: Genetically-based cancer meds, taste's base and more

  #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-37143{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-37143, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-37143{width:570px;display:block;}try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-37143").style.display="none";}catch(e){}Today on In Case You Missed It: Scientists managed to turn taste on and off in mice by activating and silencing brain cells, putting to bed the notion that taste is determined by the tongue. University of Toronto cancer researchers used a patient's genetic material to craft a cancerous mass on a long strip of collagen, then wound it up and gave it the same radiation and chemo drugs a patient would get for that type of illness. They can then stretch the roll out to see whether the treatment killed the cancer cells. The team hopes to eventually tailor people's cancer treatments to their own genetics. And the first battle in the private company space race may have gone to Blue Origin over Space X, for landing its reusable rocket first.

  By Kerry Davis Read More

• 3D-printed vascular systems help doctors practice for your surgery

  It's safe to say that you want your doctors to know exactly what they're doing when performing surgery. But how do they train for a vascular operation, which is both extremely tricky and unique to your anatomy? By using 3D printing, that's how. MakerBot's parent company Stratasys is teaming with physicians to create 3D-printed replicas of patients' vascular systems, giving surgeons a way to practice before they poke around your blood vessels. The models use flexible photopolymers (that is, light-sensitive polymers) to recreate the feel of organic tissue, so you don't have to worry that the surgery team is only used to working with hardened plastic.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• ICYMI: Robotic teddy bear, electric glue formula and more

  #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-47994{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-47994, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-47994{width:570px;display:block;}try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-47994").style.display="none";}catch(e){}Today on In Case You Missed It: Teddy Ruxpin is all grown-up with the artificially intelligent Diro robot that can act as an alarm and keep your kid entertained. London installed solar-powered recharging benches in public spaces that also monitor pollution and noise levels. And not one but two glue formulas are making waves: There are the powdered small glue balls that become sticky when pressed together and the MIT hydrogel that's made mostly of water, is super flexible and can conduct electricity.

  By Kerry Davis Read More

• Doctors grow tumors that roll up like toilet paper

  Modern medicine still takes a decidedly ham-fisted approach to treating cancer -- it attacks with radiation and chemotherapy drugs that are just as toxic to healthy tissues as they are to tumors. What's more the effects of these treatments vary between patients. However, a novel (albeit gag-inducing) new research method from the University of Toronto hold the key to personalizing oncology: 2D tumors grown from the patient's own genetic material.

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• 'Gene drive' mosquitoes could end malaria once and for all

  The scourge of malaria could be going away for good in some regions, thanks to a groundbreaking discovery by researchers at the Universities of California, Irvine and San Diego. Their study, published Monday in the journal PNAS, has reportedly uncovered a method that all but guarantees that specific gene sets will be passed to offspring.

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• This 'Plant Lamp' uses bacteria to generate electricity

  Maintaining infrastructure in the rainforest is a pretty tall order -- the area is dense with vegetation and prone to intense moisture and flooding. Villages like Nuevo Saposoa in Peru have had their electrical grids disabled or destroyed by the elements, leaving residents at the mercy of daylight or the fumes of kerosene lamps to work, read or study. Researchers at Peru's Universidad de Ingeniería y Tecnología have created a novel solution: an LED lamp powered by a houseplant.

  By Sean Buckley Read More

• Nano-sized diamond thread may be a super-strong wonder material

  Move over, graphene -- you're not the only miracle material in town. Australian researchers have discovered that diamond nanothreads (one-dimensional diamond crystals capped with hydrogen) could be extremely strong. While scientists thought they were brittle when announced just a month ago, it turns out that they become supremely flexible (and thus durable) when you introduce the right kinds of defects. You could create nanoscopic structures that are just as strong as you need them to be, with a 'perfect' mix of bendy and rigid shapes.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Scientists create quantum entanglement at room temperature

  Quantum entanglement, where two particles are inextricably linked, is a real thing. However, creating that odd behavior has been extremely difficult so far -- you have to cool things down to near absolute zero to pull it off on a significant scale. Or rather, you did. Researchers have successfully produced macro-scale quantum entanglement at room temperature through the one-two combo of an infrared laser (which aligned magnetic states) and electromagnetic pulses (for the actual entanglement). The experiment only included enough electrons and nuclei to fill the space of a blood cell, but that still amounts to linking "thousands" of particles.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Researchers create working electronics inside a rose

  Plants and electronics frequently get along, but you don't see electronics in plants -- not surprisingly, it's hard to insert circuitry without killing the host. Swedish scientists just overcame one of the biggest hurdles to creating these strange cyborgs, however. They've successfully made the key elements of an electronic circuit inside of a rose and light up ions inside the flower's leaves. The trick was to insert a special polymer that self-assembled into wires throughout the stem, carrying electricity without cutting off the flow of life-giving nutrients.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• ICYMI: Buzzing blind guide, lab-grown voice and more

  #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-25001{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-25001, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-25001{width:570px;display:block;} try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-25001").style.display="none";}catch(e){}Today on In Case You Missed It: Doctor's used bioengineering to grow fresh vocal cords that they say sound just like the real thing. Haptic feedback headbands are helping to guide sight-disabled people with buzzing when an obstacle is present. And a collaborative synthesizer from London lets four people control a device, jamming out electronically, together.

  By Kerry Davis Read More

• ICYMI: Pigeon cancer detection, pill stethoscope and more

  #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-362475{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-362475, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-362475{width:570px;display:block;} try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-362475").style.display="none";}catch(e){}Today on In Case You Missed It: Researchers were able to train pigeons to choose whether medical images contain a benign or malignant tumor with 99% accuracy. MIT scientists made a biomonitoring pill that patients can swallow to collect their pulse, breathing rate and internal temperature. And musicians have a new option in the form of the tiny Motus instrument, which recognizes shaking and twirling to create music out of movement.

  By Kerry Davis Read More

• MIT researchers develop ingestible sensor to measure vital signs

  Stethoscopes listen to your body. These acoustic devices have been around since the 19th century and are still the norm for auscultating or examining the internal sounds of your body. But a team of researchers at MIT have developed an ingestible sensor that could measure your vital signs from the inside, specifically from the gastrointestinal tract. The new sensor, packaged inside a silicone capsule that's the size of an almond, is expected to make both short and long term assessments easier on patients. Beyond hospitals, it could also help monitor soldiers and assist athletic training programs.

  By Mona Lalwani Read More

• NASA's growing flowers on the ISS for the first time

  Following upon its initial successes with lettuce back in August, NASA astronauts aboard the International Space Station are attempting to coerce a colony of zinnias to flower for the first time. The effort is part of the larger Veggie plant growth system which is studying the effects of microgravity on plant life.

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• Everything you know is wrong: lasers are cooling things now

  A group of scientists at the University of Washington were able to successfully refrigerate water using an infrared laser. This is a big deal because researchers weren't even sure this was possible as water tends to heat up when illuminated. However, by using an infrared laser and nanocrystal, it surprisingly created the opposite effect, which is a world first. The team of scientists were able to cool liquid water by 36 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius). The crystal absorbed the light's photons and then when the photons were released, they had a higher energy value compared to when they first entered. These photons then scattered and carried away heat, cooling the surrounding water.

  By Christopher Klimovski Read More

• FDA approves world's first GMO fish: fast-growing Atlantic Salmon

  In a landmark decision more than two decades in the making, the US Food and Drug Administration announced its approval of a genetically modified Atlantic Salmon variant on Thursday. The AquAdvantage salmon, which was initially developed back in 1989 and submitted for approval in 1995, grows far faster than its conventionally bred brethren. The FDA has deemed it safe for human consumption, equally nutritious as other salmon varieties and not dangerous to the environment. And since the GMO salmon is considered nutritionally equivalent to regular salmon supermarkets will be able to carry the fish without having to label them being GMO.

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• Astronomers image the birth of a planet, verifies formation theory

  We already have a pretty good idea of how planets come into existence, but the first one astronomers ever imaged in the midst of formation is LkCa 15 b. The Jupiter-like protoplanet (that's the term used to describe a baby exoplanet), which orbits a young star 450 light-years away, was first caught on cam by Drs. Michael Ireland and Adam Kraus. At the time, however, the scientists weren't sure if they were truly seeing a new planet being born. Now another group of researchers has taken a photo of the LkCa 15 b, and they strongly believe that they "successfully and unambiguously detected a forming planet." Plus, they've verified a formation theory stating that protoplanets glow in the light of incredibly hot (17,500 Fahrenheit) hydrogen gas. The group's paper, which has been published in Nature, combines data from separate studies conducted by two lead authors: University of Arizona graduate student Stephanie Sallum and her former schoolmate Kate Follette, who's now doing postdoctoral research at Stanford University.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Doctors can now grow human vocal cords in a lab

  Used to be that if you damaged your vocal cords and needed a new set, doctors would have to shoot you full of immunosuppressants to keep your body from rejecting the cadaver-sourced replacements. Not anymore. Researchers at University of Wisconsin Medical School have published a preliminary study in the journal Science Translational Medicine wherein they successfully cultured 170 sets of vocal cords in the lab. These organs do not require the course of immunosuppressants that conventional transplants require. "We never imagined that we would see the impressive level of function that we did," study senior author Nathan Welham told Buzzfeed.

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• 6 futuristic cars powered entirely by the sun

  By Cat DiStasio Innovators around the world are obsessed with harnessing the power of the sun. Solar energy has been used to power lamps that light up the night, to run desalinators that create clean drinking water, and to offset fossil fuels on utility grids. But what about solar cars? The world hasn't seen many sun-powered vehicles, but it's not for lack of innovation or competition. In fact, many such cars have competed against one another in the World Solar Challenge, which goes down in Australia. The race has spurred the creation of some of the world's fastest and most efficient sun-powered vehicles, but there's more out there. Some are born purely from a love for clean tech and the rush of innovation that comes from creating something once dismissed as impossible.

  By Inhabitat Read More

• Air Force torch cuts through locks like a hot knife through butter

  Firefighters, police and soldiers don't have many good options when they want to breach a door: blowtorches and lock picks are usually slow, while battering rams, explosives and guns aren't exactly subtle. The US Air Force and EMPI recently crafted a far better solution, though. Their TEC Torch creates a brief but super-hot (5,000F) metal vapor jet that cuts through steel in less than a second, making short work of virtually any lock. In some ways, it's like Star Wars' Qui-Gon Jinn cutting through doors with a lightsaber -- it's just faster and less dramatic.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Scientists build atom-scale sub that moves at 'breakneck' speeds

  There are still no nanobots plying our bloodstreams, seeking and destroying cancer and other diseases. However, scientists at Rice University have just built a molecule-scale "submarine," so that's a pretty positive step towards "Fantastic Voyage." Mades at the same lab that developed "nanocars," the devices are a mere 244 atoms in size, with motors powered by ultraviolet light that turn at over a million RPM. That propels them along at a solid one inch per second, which is a "breakneck" pace according to lab director James Tour. "These are the fastest-moving molecules ever seen in solution," he said.

  By Steve Dent Read More

• LED implants could ease your pain

  One day, eliminating pain may just be a matter of flicking on a light. Scientists have shown that you can implant LEDs that stop neurons from firing and cut out pain reception. The current technique (tested in mice) requires altering the neurons' DNA -- you couldn't just stick them in anyone. They're soft, however, and safe enough that you can leave them under the skin for long periods of time without limiting motion or wrecking tissue.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Researchers discover the source of animals' natural compasses

  For years, biologists have pondered how so many members of the animal kingdom -- from fruit flies and pigeons to sea turtles and wolves -- are able to navigate long distances apparently by sensing the Earth's magnetic field. Two theories have emerged in recent years: one that the ability derived from iron-binding molecules, the other that it came from a protein called cryptochrome. Now a team from China's Peking University have discovered that both theories describe complimentary aspects of the same bio-navigational system.

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• Watch a human face emerge from a bunch of overlain, inanimate objects

  As the brain attempts to organize the visual world, it hones in on familiar patterns -- like the shape of a human face -- and sometimes, it even concocts these patterns out of random noise. We spot faces in all sorts of inanimate objects, from grilled cheese to buildings to coffee makers. Some objects are even designed with the human face in mind, at times to a creepy degree, as artist Robby Kraft found. Kraft used face-detection tech from Kyle McDonald (on GitHub) to overlay about 67 images of human faces found in the #selfie tag on Instagram; these created an "average" human face after about 15 images (above, left). He ran about 125 inanimate objects tagged #FacesInThings through the same software and, again after just 15 images, an eerily "average" human face emerged from the compilation (above, right).

  By Jessica Conditt Read More

• Graphene could bring night vision to phones and cars

  Thermal imaging devices like night-vision goggles can help police, search-and-rescue teams and soldiers to pick out bad guys or victims through walls or in complete darkness. However, the best devices require cryogenic cooling, making them heavy, expensive and slow. Enter graphene, the semi-conducting material that's 100 times stronger than steel -- researchers from MIT have built a chip out of the material that may solve the problem. The resulting infrared sensors were small enough that they could be "integrated in every cellphone and every laptop," according to the study's co-author, Tomas Palacios.

  By Steve Dent Read More

• Scientists want to laser-heat stuff to ten million degrees

  Researchers at Imperial College London believe that they've created a method that could prove critical in the search for unlimited clean energy. The team has produced a theoretical method that, at least on paper, is capable of super-heating an object to ten million degrees in a fraction of a second. It's hoped that technology like this, if proven in the real world, will form a key component of a fusion reactor that'll provide a warm light for all mankind.

  By Daniel Cooper Read More

• Dubai firefighters could start using jetpacks to fight blazes

  Dubai is a city known for its extravagance, so it's no surprise that the emirate closed a deal to buy 20 jetpacks for the Dubai Civil Defense service. The packs, made by Martin Aircraft Company, will allow firefighters and first responders to assess and combat blazes in high-rise buildings. The packs have custom designed engines and twin ducted fans that propel the person at speeds of 74km/ph and up to 3,000 feet high.

  By Christopher Klimovski Read More

• NASA to study how higher temps affect the Earth's ability to absorb CO2

  Our atmosphere's carbon dioxide levels are through the roof -- it's the highest it's ever been at 400 parts per million within the past 400,000 years. The situation would have been much, much worse, however, if it weren't for the Earth's forests and oceans. All the plants, trees, the ocean's salt water, marine plants and animals absorb 50 percent of our carbon dioxide emissions. That's why NASA has launched a multi-year project to figure out how exactly our planet absorbs carbon dioxide, as well as to determine whether Earth's continuously warming environment can affect its absorption rate.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• A startup is growing faux shrimp meat in the lab using algae

  Someday, you might be able to throw a lab-grown meat party with not only burgers, but also tempura on the menu. A startup called New Wave Foods is developing artificial shrimp meat in the laboratory, urged by environmental destruction and the other troubles brought about by commercial fishing. According to Motherboard, the team is currently testing different ways of extracting proteins from algae that the crustaceans eat, mixing and mashing them together with protein gels to create the meat. So far, they've already nailed the taste, but mimicking the seafood's texture is proving to a bit more difficult.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Laser-cooked bacon is a delicious techno-culinary masterpiece

  There's no wrong way to cook bacon -- even if you don't cook it at all. Kentaro Fukushi, a Mathematical Science professor in Tokyo, Japan recently proved as much to Munchies. He, along with his partner, Hiroshi Takai of The Garage Lab maker space, have combined cutting edge technology with their culture's deeply held tradition of eating raw meat. They're using a laser cutter to fry just the fat on strips of bacon while leaving the rest of the meat uncooked.

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• How to Make Math Tangible With 3D Printing

  A recent report released by the National Assessment of Educational Progress shows a decrease in mathematical skills of American students – the first since 1990. While the reasoning behind the drop is up for debate, one thing is true; the subject of math is oftentimes one of the hardest to digest by students.There is an opportunity here to bring the teaching of mathematics to the 21st century and I am not talking about going from a white board to an iPad. The NAEP report is clear – we need to do something to make math more digestible for the students of today or face a continually declining spiral in understanding. In other words, we need a tool that will help engage students and encourage deeper understanding of mathematical concepts by presenting them in a new way.Frequently relegated to just lines on a chalkboard, theories and lessons aren't always able to break through to students with disabilities – be it learning or physical – but I believe 3D printing is looking to change that.The next Industrial Revolution?The Industrial Revolution was led by the textile industry, steam power and iron production back in the 1700 to 1800s. One of the pieces that made the revolution so revolutionary was that it took a previously manual process and mechanized it. Recently, the 3D printing industry has been called the next Industrial Revolution due to its capacity to change the way we live our lives on a daily basis. As much as 3D printing will change our lives in both the near and far future, there are other factors to consider before identifying it as the next Industrial Revolution.To determine how "revolutionary" a change is, it's important to look at the output both before and after to determine if the after results are indeed better. When it comes to 3D printing compared to past methods, this isn't necessarily the case. Dimensional accuracy, throughput, material characteristics and accessibility all have worse outputs than previous technologies. Due to this, we can replace what many think of as the next "Industrial Revolution" by the 3D printing industry and instead deem it a "Quiet Revolution."There's no denying that 3D printing will have a huge impact across a variety of industries through its specific advantages, but it will never replace traditional methods.Enhancing learning with 3D printingLet's take a step back and look at education from an overall perspective. There are areas of opportunity to implement 3D printing across every topic, discipline and subject for students of all ages and backgrounds.3D printing capabilities add another level to any lesson, enriching the learning process and encouraging students to think outside of the box and discover new ways they can transform their ideas into physical models. Educators should teach children with customized learning that is adjusted for their individual needs and promote independent thinking to show them how they can solve the problems themselves and not just give them the answer. They should also aim to cultivate creativity such as breaking things and experimenting with the results and ultimately, they need to light the spark of curiosity.With the antiquated tools currently being used in lessons, it can be hard to light a spark among tech-savvy students when it comes to teaching math. However, 3D printing is doing just that in the below three ways.FractionsWhen presented on a board in the front of the class, fractions are a relatively simple concept to understand. You have a pie, for example, and when it's split it up it becomes clear that one third of the pie is much larger than one sixth.But what happens to that understanding when you take away a key sense – your sight? When learning how to count, you learn that six is greater than three. Imagine how hard it is to then be told that one sixth is less than one third, without being able to see it explained and drawn out in front of you? 3D printing allows for fractions to be taught in a physical sense, giving vision impaired students the opportunity to feel rather than see that the printed object representing one third is indeed larger than the object representing one sixth.Pythagorean TheoremThe equation itself is easy to remember and repeat: a2 + b2 = c2. And, for the most part, the explanation that the square of the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the squares of the two other sides is enough to perform calculations and find answers.A 3D printed version of the Pythagorean Theorem allows for students to visualize how the squares of the sides exist in relation to each other. By taking the actual square of the two sides adjacent to the hypotenuse and adding the areas of the two squares, it equals the area of the square of the hypotenuse. This physical aid can help students who have trouble visualizing the concept of the theorem. GeometryCan you differentiate between a circle, ellipse, parabola or hyperbola? And do you know how each is formed? It's easy to teach the different shapes by drawing them on a board, but 3D printing allows students to see and feel how each one is created from a different slice of a cone.A circle is a horizontal slice, a slice at an angle is an ellipse, a parallel cut to the edge is a parabola and a vertical cut is a hyperbola. The differences between each of these shapes might seem negligible to the common student, but those studying bullet trajectory, for example, know that a parabola is the trajectory a projectile will follow, and the concept of a hyperbola can be used to show how it's possible to leverage only straight lines and make them look curved. Math is just one of the many ways that 3D printing will change the educational landscape. From sciences to history, 3D printing allows educators to have a greater line of communication with students and tangibly show them the concepts and ideas that they are relaying through their lessons. No longer will learning be relegated to the chalkboard – it will be available in the palm of your hand.While we are still a ways away from having 3D printing available to every student, advancements around of low-cost materials, color capabilities and eco-friendly printers are driving the idea forward. While the 3D printing industry in and of itself will not be a revolution, 3D printing in the classroom will be -- consider it the "Educational Revolution."

  By Conor MacCormack Read More

• 6 insane plans to hack the planet's ecosystems

  By Cat DiStasio This week, weather experts at the United Nations announced that carbon dioxide concentrations are higher than ever. The report calls on world leaders to clamp down on greenhouse gas emissions at the UN climate talks taking place next month in Paris. However, government leaders aren't the only people who can help save the world. In fact, some of the craziest schemes to halt, slow or even reverse global warming have come from other sources. Some are incredibly affordable and others require backing from investors. Some promise to be wildly successful, while a few have already stumbled. Read on to learn about some of the wildest ideas we've heard for fighting climate change.

  By Inhabitat Read More

• Grow your own edible mealworms in a desktop hive

  The idea of eating insects isn't new -- there are several cultures around the world that actually rely on them as a major food source. But those in the Western world haven't quite caught on, and that's a bit of a shame. See, insects cost a lot less to produce and are far less harmful to the environment than raising livestock. Katharina Unger thinks so too. Not only that, but she also thinks that people need be more informed about where their food comes from. That's why she and friend Julia Kaisinger created the LIVIN Farms Hive, which is what they're calling the first ever edible insect desktop hive. With it, the two hopes to spread the gospel and value of growing, breeding, harvesting and, yes, eating your very own mealworms.

  By Nicole Lee Read More

• ICYMI: Future motorcycle, brain membrane breakthrough & more

  #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-801049{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-801049, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-801049{width:570px;display:block;} try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-801049").style.display="none";}catch(e){}Today on In Case You Missed It: Doctors were able to bypass the blood-brain barrier to deliver medicine to the brain quickly. Yamaha's new electric concept motorcycle is getting attention from even the non-motorcyclists in the office. And a YouTuber constructed a real-life Dejarik gaming table that took him 11 months to complete; well worth seeing.

  By Kerry Davis Read More

• Stanford scientists get a little closer to a medical tricorder

  Being able to identify problems with a person's body without subjecting them to invasive procedures is the fantasy of all Star Trek doctors. There's even a prize offering a fortune to anyone who can effectively recreate the tricorder technology out in the real world. Now, Stanford scientists think that they've developed a system that, in time, could be used to spot cancerous tumors from a foot away.

  By Daniel Cooper Read More

• Doctor dubbed 'the father of cyborgs' tested implants in his own brain

  How far would you go to create a brain-controlled speech decoder? Doctor Philip Kennedy already helped blaze a trail in brain-computer interfaces back in the 80s. Now, a report in MIT Technology Review explains how the neurosurgeon decided to crank his research up a notch. Well, several notches, really, by having implants put into his own brain to better learn how neurons function with speech. What's more, Kennedy paid $25,000 and underwent highly invasive surgery -- including the removal of the top of his skull -- for the privilege.

  By James Trew Read More

• The Big Picture: The world's most powerful x-ray laser

  This is a photo of the Linac Coherent Light Source or LCLS -- an x-ray free-electron laser in Stanford University's SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. It's also dubbed as the most powerful x-ray laser in the world. The SLAC Lab took a group of amateur and pro photographers on a tour of its facilities, giving them the chance to shoot photos of both the LCLS and the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL) for a contest. This image captured by Nathan Taylor is one of the top three entries taken by people from the group and will be submitted to this year's Global Physics Photowalk, which aims to show behind-the-scenes photographs of the world's leading particle physics laboratories. You can see all the winners, including another winning picture by Daniele Fanelli that features toy dinosaurs, along with the other entries that got honorable mention on SLAC's website. [Image credit: SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory/Nathan Taylor]

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• 'Painless' dental cavity procedure regrows tooth enamel

  When a dentist says the word "cavity" a lot of people sweat thinking about painful injections and relentless drilling. But scientists in Britain have developed a new procedure dubbed EAER, or "Electrically Assisted Enhanced Remineralisation," that can repair a slightly decayed tooth before a deep cavity forms. The supposedly painless procedure involves cleaning (not drilling) the tooth of any signs of mild decay, then flushing it with minerals and stimulating it with an electric pulse. This pushes the minerals into the deepest part of the lesion and speeds up a naturally occurring process called "remineralization". This is where minerals in your saliva and some foods enter the tooth enamel and make it stronger.

  By Christopher Klimovski Read More

• This awesome DIY railgun fires rounds with 27,000 joules of force

  Used to be that if you wanted to fire off a few high-velocity rounds with an electromagnetic railgun, you'd have to land a commission aboard the USS Ponce. That is, until YouTuber Ziggy Zee went ahead and built one from scratch -- no 3D printing required. The 250 pound device utilizes 56, 480-joule capacitors driven by a 400-volt power source to launch its aluminium projectiles with a staggering 27,000 joules of force.

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• Doctors breach the blood-brain barrier for the first time

  Our blood-brain barrier is a highly selective membrane specially designed to only allow very specific molecules access to our grey matter while keeping everything else out -- regardless of whether they're invading foreign bodies or potentially life-saving medicines. That's no longer the case. Doctors from Toronto's Sunnybrook Hospital have recently managed to temporarily jiggle the barrier open using directed ultrasonic waves and keep it open long enough to deliver chemotherapy drugs.

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• Watch this graphene paper slither around like it's alive

  Researchers from China have taken shape-memory materials to a creepy new level with a self-folding paper that can propel itself by "walking." Sorcery? Not quite. It's actually made from everybody's favorite wonder-material, graphene, and heated by an infrared laser that causes active regions to contract, then expand when it shuts off. By placing the regions in strategic locations, the team can make the paper move in any direction. It isn't going to put a scare into Sarah Connor just yet, but the team thinks it could one day be used to create contracting "muscles" that do power murderous 'bots. In the near term, the material could lead to low-cost temperature and humidity sensors.

  By Steve Dent Read More

• Portable particle accelerators may soon become reality

  Modern particle accelerators are big, to put it mildly -- even the smallest ones tend to occupy large rooms. Researchers at the University of Maryland, however, have found a way to shrink them down to where they're genuinely portable. By shooting plasma with a laser pulse in such a way that they intensify the pulse and create a wake, the scientists can accelerate electrons to near the speed of light without using nearly as much energy as current machines (just millijoules for every blast). With this technology, you'd need so much less equipment and power that you could fit an accelerator on a cart.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Watch a jetpack pilot fly past the Statue of Liberty for the first time

  Forget taking a ferry to see the Statue of Liberty... how about visiting with a couple of jet engines strapped to your back? JetPack Aviation chief David Mayman did just that: the entrepreneur is the first person to fly around New York City's signature statue in a "controlled and sustained" way with a jetpack. He wasn't exactly brushing past Lady Liberty's nose, as you'll see in the video below, but it's still a noteworthy feat. Is this ultimately a publicity stunt meant to draw attention to the company's upcoming, mainstream-oriented JB-9 jetpack? You bet. However, there's no denying that this is also a childhood wish come true. It's not often that you can soar above the tourists and still get a good look at one of the US' best-known monuments.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• US Army lab develops a way to read soldiers' brains

  Military intelligence analysts spend a lot of time scrutinizing countless images from various sources, such as drones and surveillance systems. An automated program developed by cognitive neuroscientist Dr. Anthony Ries, however, can make the process a lot faster. Ries works for a US Army research facility called the "The MIND (Mission Impact Through Neurotechnology Design) Lab," which has just began testing a program that can interpret brain waves. In simpler words: it can read human minds. During a recent test, he hooked up a soldier to an EEG connected to one of the lab's desktop computers and asked him to look at a series of images on screen flashing at a rate of one per second. Each image falls under one of five categories -- boats, pandas, strawberries, butterflies and chandeliers.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Studying jellyfish is the key to better underwater crafts

  Jellyfish and lamprey have been swimming in the same hypnotic way for millions of years. It has taken a Stanford-lead team of scientists to figure out how they do this so efficiently and the results show our assumptions have been way off this whole time. It turns out these ancient animals don't push against the water behind them to propel forwards but instead suck water towards themselves to maximize distance and exert as little energy as possible. Pockets of low pressure water form in the bends of the animal's body and when water rushes to these areas; it sucks them forward as a result.

  By Christopher Klimovski Read More

• Doctors treat drug-resistant leukemia with 'gene editing'

  Doctors at Britain's Great Ormond Street Hospital believe that they're on the cusp of a breakthrough in how to treat genetic diseases. Researchers have successfully -- so far -- implemented a method of editing genes that can seek out and eliminate conditions without the use of drugs. It's very early days as yet, but the procedure has already been used to save the life of a one-year-old with a terminal case of drug-resistant leukemia.

  By Daniel Cooper Read More

• Researchers 3D print 'Lego bricks' of functional stem cells

  A team of scientists from Beijing's Tsinghua University have reportedly devised a means of producing uniform embryonic stem cells with a 3D printer. These cells stack like organic Lego bricks and could form the structural basis for future lab-grown organs. "It was really exciting to see that we could grow embryoid body in such a controlled manner," lead author Wei Sun said in a statement. "The grown embryoid body is uniform and homogenous, and serves as a much better starting point for further tissue growth." The study published yesterday in the journal Biofabrication.

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• The cyberpsychologist is in

  My first session with a cyberpsychologist didn't go so well. She asked me to lay back on the couch, relax, and "think of cyber." "You know," she said, "what you do when you're angry." "Well, I don't really cyber when I'm angry-" She cut in, "Do you have penetration problems?" "No!" I stammered, "I ... I have I guess what you'd call cyber ... toys? I mean, when I want to penetrate a-" "Oh," she said acidly. "Then you must be dealing with feelings of cyber-castration. You were cut off from a network as a child, weren't you?" "Network!? Wait. Do you mean cyber, or do you mean cyber?" Okay, so my first cyberpsychology session might have actually been all in my head, but I'm far from alone in my confusion about whether the spokesperson for cyberpsychology — apparently a real term — means cyber (as in security) or cyber (as in sex).

  By Violet Blue Read More

• Scientists map high-temp superconductivity in 3D for the first time

  High-temperature superconductivity represents a potential breakthrough across multiple fields of technology, from MRIs to levitating trains, hoverboards and computing. Scientists at the Department of Energy's SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory have discovered the first 3D model of the elements involved in high-temperature superconductivity, uncovered using powerful magnetic pulses and "some of the brightest X-rays on the planet," according to a press release. Superconductivity is a quantum mechanical phenomenon that occurs in certain materials when they're cooled to extreme temperatures, at which point they conduct zero electrical resistance and expel their magnetic fields. If humans can harness superconductivity at room temperature, the technology could take off in a massive way (Did someone say singularity?).

  By Jessica Conditt Read More

• Watch two 'Jetmen' fly alongside an A380 superjumbo

  We've seen Swiss daredevil Yves Rossy (aka Jetman) fly his carbon fiber jet wing over Rio, and above Dubai with his protege Jetman Vince Reffet. The latest video from the fearless aviators sees Rossy and Reffet share the skies with something a little bigger -- an Emirates A380 airliner. Once again, the flight takes place over the Palm Jumeirah and Dubai skylines. We can only imagine the duo gives the A380 pilot constant heart palpitations as they deftly maneuver around the plane (y'know, with its jet intakes and all that).

  By James Trew Read More

• Scientists create a tiny, flexible lens modeled on insect eyes

  Science seems obsessed with creating tiny objects that can do big things. Like a team at the University of Wisconsin-Madison which has created a new microlens with a 170-degree field of vision. Modeled after an insects multi-faceted eye, the flexible lens is roughly the size of a pinhead. Where typical lenses refract light, this one focuses using diffraction, which bends it as it passes over the folded barrier. Each of these bendable structures look like bullseyes because the lens is made up of both light and dark regions. The distance between these concentric circles determines how far the lens can see and the best part is, because they're flexible, the field of vision can be easily altered.

  By Christopher Klimovski Read More

• 6 world-changing innovations by teenage geniuses

  By Cat DiStasio Solutions to some of the world's most challenging problems are coming from an unlikely place: teenagers. Around the world, young inventors are developing gadgets and techniques that address issues ranging from ocean pollution to biofuels to food production. These incredible inventions are just a few highlights from teens who bring a fresh perspective and a hunger for real-life problem-solving. Hopefully, we'll be reading about these young geniuses again years down the road, as they become stars of their own STEM careers.

  By Inhabitat Read More

• Dear Veronica: Ice-cold science!

  #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-434866{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-434866, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-434866{width:570px;display:block;} try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-434866").style.display="none";}catch(e){}This week on Dear Veronica, I welcome onto the show Dr. Kiki Sanford of This Week in Science. She brilliantly explains the science behind why your whiskey and vodka stays perfectly chilled in your freezer, while your beer completely explodes! Briefly, I wonder why you would bother freezing your whiskey (but I'm not here to judge). Have you tried out online dating? It's a tough scene out there, but I try to help viewer Nick figure out some other ways to meet the match of his dreams. And don't forget, you can "swipe right" on this show by leaving us a review on iTunes! Because you're the best. Keep sending those questions in to me over Twitter with #DearVeronica, and I'll see you next week! Subscribe via iTunes, RSS or YouTube!

  By Veronica Belmont Read More

• Grove grows your veggies indoors using LED lights and fish poop

  The Grove Ecosystem is for people who want to grow veggies and herbs indoors, as well as take care of some pet fish at the same time. Its setup and name should give you a clue on how it works: it uses aquaponics to nourish your produce. In other words, anything you plant relies on nutrients from processed fish poop and other wastes to grow. To induce photosynthesis, the cabinet-like structure also has LED lights that mimic the sun. Plus, it connects via WiFi to its accompanying app, which tracks its energy consumption, microbe levels and each component's condition.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Fire ants can act as an organic super-material by playing dead

  Scientists at the Georgia Institute of Technology have discovered a material so versatile that it can form solid objects, bend under pressure without breaking, easily float on water and even disperse into a liquid when something tries to pass through it. Unfortunately, this discovery is completely useless -- because this amazing super-material is made up entirely of fire ants.

  By Sean Buckley Read More

• Scientists map world first 3D image of cancer-spreading protein

  Scientists at Griffith University's Institute for Glycomics released the world's first 3-D image of a protein that is linked to the spread of cancer. Where before scientists had to guess what the structure looked like, now they have a clear 3-D model meaning they can see how it works and develop targeted medicines to stop it before the protein can make matters worse. It was mapped using a technique called X-Ray crystallography and the team, lead by the institute's Director Professor Mark von Itzstein, notes that the image is so well defined that it shows both the structure of the overall protein as well as atomic-level details.

  By Christopher Klimovski Read More

• World's biggest floating wind farm is coming to Scotland

  Just days after Danish energy provider Dong announced it had signed off plans to build the world's largest offshore wind farm comes news of another milestone in the UK's push for renewable energy. The Scottish Government has confirmed it has given consent to another Scandinavian company, Norway's Statoil, to build Britain's first floating wind farm. A park consisting of five 6MW turbines will be installed off the coast of Peterhead, eclipsing Japan's single 7MW turbine to become the world's largest offshore wind development.

  By Matt Brian Read More

• The Large Hadron Collider's next upgrade is moving forward

  The Large Hadron Collider recently got back to work after a two-year layoff for maintenance and upgrades, but soon it will go under the knife again. Last week 230 scientists met at CERN in Switzerland to discuss the High-Luminosity LHC (HL-LHC) project, and move it from the development phase to the construction stage. After two more Long Shutdown periods in 2019 and 2024, the HL-LHC will deliver 10 times the amount of particle collisions it does now. New technology coming its way includes 12 superconducting quadropole magnets (one is pictured above), "crab" cavities that tilt the particle beams before collisions and more. When we took a look at the science behind particle accelerators a few years ago, the HL-LHC was already in development and after a four year design study it's one (big) step closer to reality.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• Disney Research has a faster way to render realistic fabrics

  Computer graphics have come a long way, but there are still a few aspects that are pretty time consuming to get right. Realistic fabric movement that reacts to gravity and other forces is one of 'em and the folks at Disney Research have found a way to make life-like cloth simulations by six to eight times in certain situations. Walt's science department says that using a technique called multigrid, specifically, smoothed aggregation allowed it to make clothing worn by a main character or fabrics that make up the foreground of a scene at a much faster clip. There's an awful lot of science and equations behind the concept (PDF), but the long and short of it is that this should allow for more realistic cloth simulations that stretch and act like fabric does in the real world and even aid in virtual try-on situations.

  By Timothy J. Seppala Read More

Smartphones (29)

• Want a sleek Windows 10 phone? Go to Japan

  Just last week, Microsoft began selling the Lumia 950, the first Windows 10 mobile phone, and though the software showed promise, the hardware itself was lacking in charm. Now, Japanese design firm NuAns is set to release the "Neo," a sleek handset that should make for a nice alternative to the Lumia (if you're okay to trade design for customizability). It sports an interchangeable upper and lower half that can be swapped out, with 64 possible combinations available. The phone is set to retail for around $350 with lower-end specs to match, including a 5-inch, 1,280 x 720 display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 617 processor and 16GB of storage (expandable via microSD slot). If this handset sounds like something you can't live without, there's one problem: it's exclusive to Japan. So, unless you want to fly over to pick one up, it looks like you'll have to get creative when customizing a smartphone available in your market.[Image credit: NuAns]

  By Christopher Klimovski Read More

• Apple's next iPhone reportedly ditches the headphone jack

  Apple's quest for ever-thinner, ever-smarter devices may produce another casualty: your iPhone's headphone jack. A rumor at MacOtakara claims that the next iPhone might drop the 3.5mm port and use the Lightning port for audio instead. The move would let Apple slim its phone even further (reportedly, over 1mm thinner than the iPhone 6s) and take advantage of Lightning's features, such as headphone-based DACs and app launching. You'd have to use an adapter for any conventional wired headphones, or else make the leap to Bluetooth.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Huawei still thinks 6-inch phablets is the way to go

  It's been well over a year since Huawei launched its premium Mate 7 phablet, and as of August, over five million units have been sold worldwide. That's far more impressive than the original goal of just one million phones. While the smaller Mate S has since been released, the company still believes in sticking to the masculine roots of the Mate series, which brings us to the Mate 8. Like before, this model sports the same 6-inch 1080p display spec but now also covers 95 percent of NTSC gamut. As a bonus, there's a piece of 2.5D glass on top of that. Of course, the biggest selling point this time is the new octa-core Kirin 950 chipset which promises much higher performance and efficiency at the same time, mainly thanks to the new 16nm FinFET+ process, some more powerful CPUs (4 x Cortex-A72 and 4 x Cortex-A53), ARM's flagship Mali-T880 GPU and integrated LTE Cat 6 modem.

  By Richard Lai Read More

• Xiaomi's latest phone is cheap, metal and has a fingerprint sensor

  Just three months after launching the Redmi Note 2, Xiaomi is back with its successor. The Redmi Note 3 is, unsurprisingly, another mid-range handset with decent specs and a staggeringly low base price: $141, or more importantly RMB 899, given that it's only headed to China at the moment. For the money you're getting a full metal body and a 5.5-inch, 1080p display. Underneath is the same MTK Helio X10 processor found on the Redmi Note 2, along with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage. If you're willing to pay a little extra, however (RMB 1,099, or $172) you can upgrade to 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage instead.

  By Nick Summers Read More

• CyanogenMod gives select smartphones an Android 6 update option

  Lots of folks still don't have Android 6 "Marshmallow" on their shiny new phones, but owners of some older models can now get it from CyanogenMod. The Nexus 7, LG G4, Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4, LG G3 Verizon, Moto X 2014 and, yes, the OnePlus One models are all primed to receive a "nightly" version of CyanogenMod 13. There are certain caveats, however. If you're moving from a stable CyanogenMod 12.1 (Android 5.1) version, the team said to prepare yourself for a "dip in quality," due to the fact that nightly releases are considered experimental. Users moving from previous versions will also have to update their Google apps (via OpenGapps, etc.). However, if you're willing to try it you probably already know the risk -- and believe that the bragging rights are worth it.

  By Steve Dent Read More

• Your future smartphone's screen will hardly need any power

  As you're likely all too aware, smartphone screens chew up a lot of power -- that's why turning down your brightness frequently does more to save energy than closing an app. If Bodle Technologies has its way, though, your display will be a virtual non-issue. It's developing a phase change material that uses virtually no power, but is still sharp, vivid and visible in bright sunlight. While a lot about the technology remains a secret, it revolves around sending electrical pulses to flexible, transparent layers.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Air Button adds handy shortcuts to NFC-enabled phones

  The idea of customizable add-on buttons for smartphones isn't exactly new. First we had Pressy (which was quickly cloned by Xiaomi and others), then the Dimple NFC button pad came along. So what's next? Well, a Hong Kong startup thinks Dimple has space for improvement, which leads us to the Air Button. As the name suggests, this is yet another battery-less button that also makes use of -- and without interfering with -- NFC on the back of many Android devices, except it doesn't have a memory limitation as the commands are stored in the app, so you can assign literally as many actions and apps as you want. For instance, you can set it to be an emergency button that toggles an audio alert, a flashlight and a phone call at the same time. Or you can have a sports mode button that starts playing music as well as launching your preferred fitness app.

  By Richard Lai Read More

• Pepsi Phone comes out of the blue in China

  We don't exactly know why, but China seems to have a thing for the Pepsi brand. Following the Pepsi edition Oppo N1, another company from the Far East is launching a new device that's simply dubbed the Pepsi Phone. From afar, you may mistake this aluminum device as a rebadged Oppo R7 Plus, but it's actually a variant of the $250 Koobee H7 featuring the same 5.5-inch 1080p display (maybe IPS LCD?) with 2.5D glass, MediaTek MT6592 1.7GHz octa-core processor, 16GB internal storage, 2GB RAM and backside touch fingerprint sensor -- it's likely an older version, though, judging by its thick metallic border like the one on the Huawei Mate 7. It also runs on Koobee's customized Android 5.1 with a Pepsi theme out of the box.

  By Richard Lai Read More

• WSJ: China's government wants homegrown, backdoor-free phones

  The Wall Street Journal is reporting that China's government has now leant on ZTE to produce a smartphone using predominantly local hardware that'll run COS, a homegrown operating system that's designed to be immune to US-based hacking attempts. The paper goes on to say that Alibaba is now working with the nation's ministry of public security to develop another operating system that's secure enough for police officers to use. It's all part of the country's attempts to put water between itself and the US in a post-Snowden world after backdoors were found in numerous American-designed products.

  By Daniel Cooper Read More

• LG throws its hat into the crowded mobile payment game

  You might not be terribly excited about mobile payments, but there's a reason why there are so many out there, including Apple Pay, Android Pay and, yep, Samsung Pay. All of those companies get a cut of every user purchase, which can add up to a lot of much-needed extra revenue. So it's not terribly surprising that LG has launched a mobile payment system of its own called (wait for it) LG Pay. The company didn't provide a lot of details, other than saying it will only be available in Korea for now. However, LG promised TechCrunch it would reveal more in the "coming weeks," so it may have plans to launch the service in other markets later on.

  By Steve Dent Read More

• Oppo embraces near-stock Android to sell more phones beyond China

  It's relatively easy to buy Oppo's smartphones in many places around the world. However, it's still obvious that they were originally designed for Chinese buyers, who tend to favor heavy customization -- how is Oppo supposed to make a name for itself abroad? By stripping things down, apparently. The company has released a beta version of Project Spectrum, a firmware release that gets much closer to stock Android. You'll still find signature Oppo features like a custom camera app and screen-off gestures, but you'll see much more of Google's original interface (specifically, Lollipop). It's only available to download for the Find 7 and Find 7a at the moment, but there are plans for both broader hardware support and a Marshmallow upgrade in the months ahead.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Samsung's latest smartphone camera loves the low light

  Are you sick of disappointing low light photos taken on your smartphone? Samsung might have a solution for you. At an investor conference in Korea, the telecommunications brand announced a new camera called BRITECELL that excels in darker conditions. The camera manages to achieve brighter, sharper results by getting rid of the traditional Bayer filter layout used in most smartphone cameras. This is a filter that turns pixels green and blocks light from hitting the sensors, making photos darker. Samsung has traded these green pixels for white ones that allow more light to pour through the lens. More light means brighter photos. Simple, right?

  By Christopher Klimovski Read More

• Galaxy Note 5 wrapper warns you to insert the pen the right way

  You probably don't need someone to tell you to insert the Galaxy Note 5's pen the right way, but Samsung isn't about to take any chances. As evidenced in a recent unboxing, at least some newer Note 5 units come with a wrapper advising you against inserting the S Pen backwards lest it "damage the pen and your phone." Is this one of those obvious "coffee is hot" warnings meant more to avoid frivolous lawsuits than anything else? You bet. However, we can't exactly fault Samsung for including it. While most of the people who've shoved the pen in backwards knew what the consequences would be, there's bound to be someone, somewhere who's genuinely caught off guard.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• You get what you pay for with Walmart's $10 Android phone

  Walmart is known for its heavily discounted goods, and in another display of price-slashing has just announced that it will sell two Android smartphones for $10 each. Prior to this offer, the cheapest smartphone on the market was the $35 Firefox OS phone. Wondering what you get for $10? Well, not a whole lot. Both TracFone LG handsets (the Sunrise L15G and Lucky LG16) offer low-grade specs and old software, running Android 4.4 KitKat, the version released two years ago. However for that price, you shouldn't expect them to run Marshmallow. You also get WiFi, but no 4G and no front-facing camera which means it's going to be a lot harder to take a selfie. On the plus side, the phones support a microSD card which means you can ramp up the measly 4GB of storage. With all that said, there's no clear difference between the two models as all the specs and software are the same. However, if you want a bare-bones yet functional smartphone for less than the price of dinner, we're sure you know where to find a Walmart. [Image credit: LG]

  By Christopher Klimovski Read More

• Microsoft's Lumia 950 is set for a November 20 launch on AT&T

  The wait has been pretty agonizing (for some of you, anyway), but the first batch of Windows 10 phones is almost here. AT&T just announced that it'll be the first -- and possibly only -- carrier in the US to carry the new Lumia 950, which you'll be able order starting tomorrow ahead of a full-blown launch on November 20. Sadly, there's no word on whether AT&T will also carry the slightly bigger, slightly better Lumia 950XL; you might just have to get that thing unlocked straight from Microsoft.

  By Chris Velazco Read More

• Experts say phones need a 'bedtime mode' to fix our sleep

  We've all done it: you've gone to bed early in order to catch up on some much needed sleep, only to lay there for hours staring at your phone until you're no longer tired. Some reports believe handsets shouldn't get all the blame for our poor sleep schedules, but we've known for some time that those glowing displays aren't helping. The best solution would be to turn devices off before going to bed, but leading sleep experts are also calling for device makers to include an automatic "bedtime mode" to help us drift off easier at night.

  By Matt Brian Read More

• Huawei can quick-charge your phone without hurting its battery

  That fast-charging smartphone you just bought has a dirty secret: more likely than not, it's reducing the lifespan or capacity of the battery to get that breakneck speed. Huawei doesn't think you should have to compromise, though. It just showed off a lithium-ion battery whose graphite-coated anode (where current flows) allows for very quick charging without hurting either capacity or long-term longevity. How quick? With a 3,000mAh of the sort you'd find in a larger phone, Huawei can give you a 48 percent charge in just 5 minutes. Yes, you could have enough power for an evening out in the time it takes to change out of your work clothes. There's an even faster prototype that reaches 68 percent in 2 minutes, although its 600mAh capacity isn't practical at its size.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Samsung's 'premium' smartphone chip puts everything in one place

  Samsung's next chip is a single square of silicon with a load of things your mobile computer needs. To start, the Exynos 8 Octa 8890 (memorable) is based on 14nm FinFET tech, whose 3D design means better power performance. The company has custom-designed the CPU around a 64-bit ARM design, and will apparently give a 30 percent improvement in performance and ten percent in power efficiency compared to the Exynos 7 Octa it replaces. ARM's Mali-T880 graphics processor also snuggles closely next to a high-end LTE modem. You know, like Qualcomm does.

  By Mat Smith Read More

• BlackBerry's second Android phone might look like this

  BlackBerry is reportedly working on another Android phone after the Priv, and CrackBerry has gotten its hands on renders of what it could look like. The publication calls it "codename Vienna," and if these images do indeed depict its final form, then the device is dropping the Priv's slide-out keyboard for BB's typical candybar form, with a large screen and a textured body. This could just be an early design, though, and the phone might end up looking like something else entirely. Nothing's certain at this point other than what BlackBerry has confirmed: it's developing a range of new products, so expect to see more devices fresh out of the company formerly known as RIM. [Image credit: CrackBerry]

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• You can now try Firefox OS on your Android phone

  Mozilla has dropped the latest version of Firefox OS into everybody's lap, and there's a special treat tucked inside for brave Android users. A new developer preview of the software can be downloaded and tried as an alternative home screen on your phone that, thankfully, doesn't require you to wipe your device beforehand. Just install the APK and it'll appear as an app that, with a single press of your device, will transform the handset into a Firefox OS phone. Naturally, in order to play nice with Android, there's a few futzes and workarounds tucked inside, but it's hoped that the move will enable more people -- and developers -- to engage with the burgeoning operating system.

  By Daniel Cooper Read More

• Cyanogen Apps lets modders in on the Cyanogen OS experience

  While Cyanogen has whipped up a suite of exclusive apps for the commercial version of its mobile operating system, those using the open source CyanogenMod were unfortunately left out. Now it's changing that, by offering a "Cyanogen Apps Package" as an optional download that adds its Boxer email app, redesigned AudioFX and more -- it doesn't have every custom tweak but the company says more parts will come along in future updates. That's good news for modders loading the custom OS on random devices, and also users who want to switch to CyanogenMod on phones like the OnePlus One or Yureka without losing these Google-alternative apps. You'll need to be running version 12.1 of the OS to make it work -- check out the wiki for installation instructions.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• BlackBerry's Android phone is coming to Verizon, too

  You won't have to jump to AT&T or get an unlocked phone just to give the BlackBerry Priv a try in the States. Verizon has teased that BlackBerry's first Android smartphone is "coming soon," and it's taking sign-ups if you want to know just when the slider will be available on its network. There's no mention of a release date or pricing, but AT&T is selling the Priv for $250 on a 2-year contract, or $25 per month on a similarly lengthy installment plan. We'd expect something comparable with Big Red.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Marshmallow debuts in less than one percent of Android devices

  Google's latest version of Android, Marshmallow, only started rolling out last month. As such, it shouldn't come as surprise to see that the current adoption numbers for it are extremely low. According to Android's Platform Distribution rates for the month of November, Marshmallow is running on a mere 0.3 percent of "active" devices. The data is collected from signals sent to the Play Store, which helps identify what Android version is on handsets or tablets. Lollipop (5.0 and 5.1), on the other hand, accounts for nearly 26 percent, while Kit Kat (4.4) is the most popular version with about 38 percent of the total. The slow adoption rates for Marshmallow are by no means Google's fault, however, since it is often carriers and manufacturers which fail to keep their phones up to date.

  By Edgar Alvarez Read More

• BlackBerry can bypass carriers to deliver Android security fixes

  Multiple Android phone makers are promising monthly security updates, but there's a big gotcha: they typically have to get approval from carriers, which means you'll wait weeks before those updates arrive. BlackBerry won't be making that compromise with the Priv, however. It's not only planning to deliver monthly security updates, but won't always have to go through carriers to do it -- the company claims it can "directly patch" every Priv model, even if it's locked to a specific network. The smartphone maker will work with its partners on pushing fixes when it can, but it'll skip the queue and deliver an out-of-cycle patch if there's a major vulnerability.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Huawei's next chipset may give competitors a run for their money

  Huawei is now Europe's second largest Android brand, according to Kantar, but there's just no time for celebration. Not too long after launching the Huawei Mate S and the Nexus 6P, the Chinese telecom giant is already teasing the launch of the Mate 8 on November 26. Little is known about this new smartphone so far, but it'll likely be using Huawei's upcoming Kirin 950 chipset announced today, which joins the Apple A9 chip to be one of the first to use TSMC's 16nm FinFET Plus process for improved efficiency. Like its predecessor, the Kirin 950 has an octa-core processor but with much improved performance: 4 x Cortex-A72 and 4 x Cortex-A53 instead of the old mid-range offering of just eight Cortex-A53 cores. It also uses ARM's flagship Mali-T880 GPU so gaming should be blast on the phone.

  By Richard Lai Read More

• PuzzlePhone wants you to fund its modular smartphone

  If you're enamored with modular smartphones but aren't convinced that Project Ara will pan out, you can now pour your money into an alternative. PuzzlePhone has launched a crowdfunding campaign to get its namesake upgradable handset into your hands. Plunk down at least $333 and you'll get a complete Android phone divided into a Spine (the 5-inch LCD, frame and speakers), Brain (processor and camera) and Heart (battery and secondary tech), all of which you can replace without having to toss out the rest of the device.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Vertu's mysterious Chinese buyer has its own secure smartphone OS

  In recent years, we've watched Vertu evolve to a luxury phone maker that actually cares about specs, and you can thank CEO Massimiliano "Max" Pogliani for that. But according to Financial Times, Swedish private equity group EQT has recently sold Vertu to Hong Kong's Godin Holdings, and Pogliani has since decided "to pass on the baton" to someone else. While these changes may bring a tear to some eyes out there, things are about to get real interesting for Vertu. You see, after some digging around in the Hong Kong Companies Registry, we found out that this Godin Holdings is actually just a four-month-old shell company of Godin Cyberspace Security Technology (translated name), which claims to be working on its very own secure smartphone OS dubbed "GOS." If you put the pieces together, we could be looking at a luxury equivalent of the Blackphone or the BlackBerry Priv in the making.

  By Richard Lai Read More

• FreedomPop is building a 'WiFi-first' smartphone with Intel

  Budget carrier FeedomPop has signed a deal with Intel that will see it introduce a "WiFi-first" smartphone next year. The phone will use Intel's low-cost "SoFIA" Atom x3 processors and leverage WiFi hotspots wherever possible instead of mobile data, even for things like texting and calling. The phone will "seamlessly" switch between WiFi and cellular networks with no discernible difference to the user, and when it does connect to cellular it'll apparently be free. FreedomPop already offers a similar service -- its big selling point is that calls and texts are sent via mobile data or WiFi rather than traditional means -- but this will be the first phone purpose-built for its virtual network.

  By Aaron Souppouris Read More

• AT&T will be the first US carrier to offer Blackberry's Priv

  AT&T will begin carrying the Blackberry Priv on November 6th, the company announced on Monday. The phone, which runs Android's Lollipop OS and features a slide-out physical keyboard, will be available that Friday in both AT&T retail outlets and the company's website. Specs for the Priv leaked late last month, though the price listed there has since been corrected to an even $700 if you buy it unlocked.

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

Social Media (47)

• WhatsApp reportedly blocks links to its chat rival Telegram

  Not long ago, social networkers accused Facebook of blocking mentions of potential rival Tsu.co. Well, Facebook's supposedly at it again... and this time, you're more likely to notice. Telegram and its users claim that WhatsApp is blocking any links to the privacy-oriented messaging service. You can see the addresses, but you can't tap or copy them. While only some people are seeing this behavior, there's no mistaking it when it turns up.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Use Snapchat Tuesday and the Gates Foundation will donate to AIDS prevention

  Tomorrow is World AIDS Day, and as such the non-profit (RED) organization has plenty of activities planned to raise both money and awareness for its fight against the disease. If you're a Snapchat user, you can do your part just by adding a filter to your snaps: according to the LA Times, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will donate $3 to (RED) every time a Snap is posted that uses one of three custom "World AIDS Day" filters up to a grand total of $3 million.

  By Nathan Ingraham Read More

• Post a racist comment online, see it on a billboard near your house

  Messages posted on Facebook, Twitter and other online spaces may feel like they carry less weight than things said in the physical world -- but that's not the case, argues Brazilian civil-rights group Criola. This year, Criola launched a campaign labeled, "Virtual racism, real consequences," which pulls racially bigoted comments from the internet and places them on billboards in the neighborhoods where the commenters live. Criola finds racist messages online and then uses geotag data to locate the author's neighborhood; the group then rents billboard space nearby and prints the comments for the world -- and the original writer -- to see. The names and images of the commenters are blurred out, but the message rings clear: Things said online affect people in real life, in real ways.

  By Jessica Conditt Read More

• Instagram tests multiple account support on Android

  The Instagram team appears to be readying an Android update that will introduce one of its most highly requested features: multiple account support. For the average user this probably isn't a big deal, but for professional photographers, social media managers and small business owners, this addition would make life much simpler. As Android Police reports, Instagram is testing the feature on Google's mobile OS right now -- you can gain access by joining the Instagram beta program, or by grabbing the latest APK from APK Mirror. Once you've got the right version installed, just dive into your settings and scroll down to the bottom, where you'll see the new option "Add Account." From there, you can switch between the two by tapping the drop-down menu on your profile page.

  By Nick Summers Read More

• Twitter videos now run full screen on other apps

  Twitter announced the rollout of full-screen video playback for its Twitter Kit on Tuesday. That means users will be able to view videos and animated gifs within Twitter without having to pop open a new window or launch the Twitter app -- everything is handled within the running app itself. The feature is currently only available for apps running Twitter Kit for iOS8+ but the company is also reportedly releasing an Android version "shortly."[Image Credit: Bloomberg via Getty Images]

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• Facebook quizzes are (still) a privacy threat (update)

  An online quiz that illustrates the words you use the most on Facebook as a "word cloud" has gone viral -- and it's a great reminder of why you should be wary of connecting ostensibly fun games with your account. UK-based VPN comparison website Comparitech has delved into how it collects not just your name, but also your birthdate, hometown, education details, all your Likes, photos, browser, language, your IP address and even your friends list if you link it with Facebook. Too many details for a simple game, right? If you agree, you may want to think hard before linking any other FB quiz in the future, because most of them require you to give up a similar list of information.(Vonvon has released a statement noted in the update below the fold.)

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Bangladesh blocks Facebook and chat apps to stop 'crimes'

  To call things tense in Bangladesh would be an understatement: the country recently executed two high-profile leaders for decades-old war crimes, and ISIS (aka Daesh) claims to have killed an Italian priest. However, its government may have gone overboard in attempting to silence this unrest. The country's officials have blocked Facebook and multiple chat apps (including Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp and Viber) on the grounds that they're being used to "carry out crimes." Just what those activities are isn't clear, but Bangladesh silenced messaging apps earlier this year to discourage protests. It wouldn't be surprising if officials are once again treating online censorship as a national security tool -- cut the internet chatter and the protesters (both for and against executions) potentially go away.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Snapchat's new feature lets users dive deep into 'Stories'

  Following on a series of recent upgrades and UI improvements, Snapchat began rolling out a new feature for its users on Monday, called Story Explorer. With it, users will be able to more fully examine and interact with the events that they're most interested in, similar to Twitter Moments. Simply swipe up from the bottom of any curated Story and the app will load up more Snaps relating to it. The new feature is currently only available for New York and Los Angeles Live Stories but the company plans to expand it to other Stories "very soon."

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• Belgian Twitter users post cat pics to help police in weekend raids

  Belgium's capital, Brussels, entered lockdown this weekend as authorities swept the city for suspected terrorists, including at least one high-profile fugitive wanted in connection with the Paris attacks. On Twitter, authorities prompted residents to refrain from posting pictures or information about ongoing police movement -- and Belgian residents obliged, with a twist. They flooded the hashtag #BrusselsLockdown with pictures of cats, making information about raids harder to find and showcasing the country's solidarity against terrorism. On Monday, as the city remained under its highest-level terror alert, Belgian federal police thanked residents on Twitter with a picture of cat food and the message, "For the cats who helped us last night... Help yourself!"[Image credit: Flickr/julochka]

  By Jessica Conditt Read More

• EFF's new website keeps an eye on social media censorship

  Facebook, Instagram and other social media websites had been in hot water many, many times in the past for purging content other users deem inappropriate. In order to pinpoint the exact reasons for those takedowns and to determine trends in content removals, the Electronic Frontier Foundation has created a website that tracks censorship across social media outlets. The EFF has built the platform called Online Censorship along with data-driven design company Visualizing Impact. It has resources, such as articles that talk about unjust removal of posts, but it relies on user reports to gather the data it needs.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Facebook at Work rolls out a dedicated chat app on Android

  Facebook at Work caters to businesses, allowing employees to communicate and share documents on private channels, and this week it adds a new mobile feature called Work Chat. Work Chat is a separate messaging app that operates similarly to the standard Facebook Messenger service, though it's restricted to you and your coworkers only. It's available to select companies on Android now, with an iOS launch in the works, TechCrunch reports. Facebook at Work is still in beta, though TechCrunch says about 300 companies use it daily, from Heineken USA to the Royal Bank of Scotland. When it launches for all businesses next year, it'll use a "freemium" model, the site reports.

  By Jessica Conditt Read More

• Facebook has a cure for your broken heart: more Facebook

  Your best friend, Facebook — you know the one who toyed with your emotions for personal gain; repeatedly brought up moments you'd rather forget; and refused to call you by your chosen name for, like, ever — really wants to help you get over your ex. That's right, yesterday the good vibes social network that wears its thumbs-up on its sleeve, started testing a set of features for the recently estranged.

  By Christopher Trout Read More

• Durex thinks a condom emoji can help promote safe sex

  Look, there's already a taco emoji, so it doesn't seem far fetched to have one that represents a condom as well. After all, despite their obvious differences, they both have something in common: pleasure. That's why Durex, a brand of male contraceptives, is hard at work advocating for a condom emoji. "An official safe sex emoji will enable young people to overcome embarrassment around the discussion of safe sex," the company says, adding that it can "encourage conversation and raise awareness of the importance of using condoms in protecting against sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV and AIDS."

  By Edgar Alvarez Read More

• Telegram founder knew ISIS was using his service before Paris attacks (updated)

  Secure messaging service Telegram announced on Wednesday it had shut down 78 ISIS-related channels since the deadly attacks on Paris and Beirut, alongside a statement saying the company was "disturbed to learn that Telegram's public channels were being used by ISIS to spread their propaganda." This made the situation sound like new information to Telegram -- but that's not the case. At TechCrunch Disrupt in September, Telegram founder Pavel Durov told interviewer Mike Butcher that he knew ISIS used his app (as spotted by The Washington Post). "I don't think we are actually taking part in these activities," Durov said. "I don't think we should be guilty or feel guilty about it." The relevant conversation went down as follows:

  By Jessica Conditt Read More

• Facebook is making it easier to ignore your ex after a breakup

  Social networking can be a little ...awkward after a break up -- forcing you to revisit potentially painful memories each time your ex posts a meme, status update or, worst of all, photo with their new fling. Facebook understands, and it's testing out new tools to help you see less of your former partner without the social faux pas of actually blocking them.

  By Sean Buckley Read More

• Paris and the trail of social media misinformation

  In the wake of the multi-pronged terror attacks on Paris last Friday, social media was awash with emotion; from concern and outrage to offers of support to those in need. Unfortunately, social media was also the site of a litany of misinformation. A Sikh man was Photoshopped wearing a suicide bomb vest and holding up the Quran when he was really just holding an iPad. Rumors spread that the Eiffel Tower had gone dark in memory of the victims, when it really just goes dark every night at 1 am. Uber was accused of charging surge prices in Paris when it didn't. A Donald Trump tweet from January about the Charlie Hebdo attacks was retweeted and spread around as if it was new.

  By Nicole Lee Read More

• People tweeted their phone number and got spammed with cat facts

  There are people who share their real phone numbers via a tweet. Yes, really. One programmer decided to teach those folks a lesson by spamming them with cat facts. Using phone numbers that were beamed out in public tweets, the joke included sending text messages about cats until the person tweeted at Edward Snowden "Meow, I <3 catfacts." Although Snowden isn't in on the gag, he is a bit of a feline fanatic. He was also quite forthcoming about his own Twitter faux pas. In this case, automated script pulls data from the Twitter API before blasting out the messages full of meow-based facts with an anonymous texting app. The programmer says the goal of the stunt is to teach users who are so loose with their personal details a lesson on how a more ruthless hacker might attack their mobile devices. Pretty solid way to do so, if you ask us. [Image credit: AFP/Getty Images]

  By Billy Steele Read More

• Tinder CEO's 'sodomy' interview puts Match.com in hot water

  Tinder CEO Sean Rad set the internet ablaze yesterday with a number of controversial comments made to the Evening Standard. He said he investigated a Vanity Fair reporter because he didn't like her article, claimed to have turned down a supermodel who was "begging" for sex and drastically misunderstood the word "sodomy." However, his biggest error may have been talking about user statistics, because Tinder's parent company Match.com is about to file an IPO, and it's against SEC rules for executives to make business statements in the weeks prior to a filing.

  By Steve Dent Read More

• Vine's new feature lets you remix audio on top of existing clips

  Sometimes you come across a Vine that you'd like to put your own spin on. To help make that process a little easier, the app now sports a remix tool that allows you to create new audio for the looping footage. To replace the sound on any Vine, simply hit the menu icon under a video (the three dots) and select "Make an audio remix." From there, you can use your phone's camera to capture your audio or select a video from your Camera Roll to pull sounds from. When browsing videos in your timeline, a music note will indicate which ones are remixes. That icon will let you view the source material, too. This is the latest in Vine's new features that help you get the perfect sound for those looping videos, following "Snap to Beat" and access to popular song clips. What's more, there's a new search that allows you to search for a clip based on the song it uses. The remix tool is available on iOS starting today and the revamped search is inside both iOS and Android versions of the app.

  By Billy Steele Read More

• Instagram won't let feed-reading apps browse your pics anymore

  If you're one of the few still using a third-party app to browse Instagram feeds, you'll need to make other arrangements soon. The photo-sharing app is killing support of the feed API that allows outside apps and websites to pull in your feed as part of a larger effort to clean up its platform. With updates to its Platform Policy, Instagram will only let apps that help users share their photos access your collection of snapshots. For example, software that allows to your print your snapshots or use your Instagram photos as a profile picture will still be supported. Instagram will continue to lend a hand to advertisers and allow images and videos to be used on the web via embeds.

  By Billy Steele Read More

• Google+ has been completely redesigned with a focus on communities

  Much like the Google logo before it, Google+ is being completely reinvented today. In a blog post, Google says that after pulling in feedback from users it has decided to focus the former do-everything social network around two key features: communities and collections. Collections launched earlier this year as a way to let users gather a bunch of content together around a single idea and share it with other users, while the older communities section encouraged users of similar interests to share "whatever you're into," be it food, sports, photography, the country of New Zealand, or anything else. The new version is rolling out today on the web, iOS and Android -- you'll need to opt-in if you're viewing it from your browser, and the apps don't appear to have gone live just yet.

  By Nathan Ingraham Read More

• Tumblr gives you an easy way to make reaction GIFs on mobile

  Tumblr made it easier to search for GIFs earlier this year, but if you're tired of seeing the same old stuff, you'll like this update a lot better. The social network has created a built-in GIF maker for its mobile apps that can process videos without having to fire up another app or a website. You simply have to compose a new Photo post and pick any video or photo burst (that iPhone 6s/6s Plus format that captures actions in the pictures you take) you want.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Twitter tests emoji reactions for the times a heart won't do

  Still bummed that tapping a heart is the only way to show your appreciation, sadness or any other reaction for a tweet? Well, that may change. Twitter user @_Ninji stumbled across emoji reactions in a jailbroken version of the social media app. Despite being included in the developer build, the feature still needs a lot of work, but it does allow users to employ the frown, party noisemaker and 100 emjois (just to name a few) to get their point across. The discovery comes right on the heels of Twitter swapping stars out for hearts when a tweet is favorited, much to the chagrin of most of the internet. Facebook recently added animated options for more appropriate reactions than a simple Like as well. Since the Twitter emojis appear to be a long way from finished, we'd surmise we'll hear more about the tiny pictures in tweets soon enough. Here's to hoping the taco and poop emoji make the cut. We've reached out to Twitter for more information, and we were sent the monkey with its hands over its mouth emoji.

  By Billy Steele Read More

• Turkey blocks Reddit through its internet censorship law

  The Turkish government's eagerness to censor the internet isn't letting up any time soon. The country's officials have blocked Reddit under the guise of Internet Law 5651, which lets Turkey ban sites it suspects of hosting 'scandalous' content like piracy, porn or criticism of first President Mustafa Ataturk. It's relatively easy to circumvent the block (you just have to switch your DNS settings), but there's no hint that the government is about to have a change of heart.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• UFC doesn't want you posting Ronda Rousey fights on Instagram

  The running joke about a Ronda Rousey fight is that you can fit the whole thing into a 15-second Instagram video, if not a 6-second Vine -- she's so good that her opponents usually crumble in seconds. You may not see many of those bite-sized clips from her title bout this weekend, though. In a first, UFC is discouraging the press (not just the general public) from sharing unauthorized footage of the fight on the internet, whether it's a GIF animation or a looping video. There's no official explanation, but it's easy to see the concern: the league is worried that you'll skip that pay-per-view purchase knowing that a fan site could recap everything in a tweet.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Snapchat's 'lens store' is full of 99-cent selfie filters

  Snapchat debuted in-app purchases back in September with the arrival of replays, and now it's offering more ways for you to spice up your selfies. The ephemeral messaging app introduced what it's calling a "lens store" today, a collection of photo flair priced at 99 cents each. Lenses aren't new to Snapchat. In fact, they've been around for a while now. However, in addition to the seven or so free lenses that are available each day, there will be an addition 30 paid options. Once you hand over $1 to secure one, it's yours forever, showing up in the app between the free and paid add-ons.

  By Billy Steele Read More

• Facebook tests Snapchat-like self-destructing messages

  Some Facebook users in France have spotted a new feature in the Messenger app. They're seeing an hourglass in the top-right corner of a conversation that when tapped sets messages to self-destruct in one hour's time. Facebook says that it's testing this new feature in France and might roll it out to everybody if users embrace it. If this all feels a little familiar, that's probably because it's very similar to Facebook's own Slingshot app. And if that seemed familiar, that's because it was a pretty direct take on what Snapchat has been doing since it launched in 2011. Facebook attempted to buy Snapchat in 2013 for a rumoured $3 billion dollars, but Snapchat CEO Evan Spiegel refused the offer. So it seems like Facebook has adopted the mentality that if you can't buy them, beat them.

  By Christopher Klimovski Read More

• Twitter's Scratch Reel lets you scrub GIFs like digital LPs

  Twitter debuted a new Scratch Reel feature on Thursday which allows users to hover a mouse or finger over GIFs and rewind or advance the image as they please. The functionality appears to only apply to GIFs created by third-party @SnappyTV publishers, so don't expect to be go all Pam the Funktress on your GIF feeds just yet.

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• Facebook brings 360-degree videos to iOS as content creation ramps up

  360-degree videos made their way into Facebook's News Feed back in September, but it was only available for web and Android users. Now, however, iOS users can join in on the fun as well thanks to a new Facebook update that is being rolled out today. There's also good news for Gear VR owners: you'll now be able to play back those videos from News Feed without ever taking your headset off, making it that much easier to delve into new immersive experiences. At the same time, plenty of publishers have jumped on the 360 video bandwagon -- ABC News, BuzzFeed, FrontLine, Nickelodeon and many more will be publishing new 360-degree clips onto Facebook starting today.

  By Nicole Lee Read More

• Russia demands Twitter store user data within the country

  Russia's social media shenanigans continue. After first blocking Reddit over a thread on 'shrooms, banning Wikipedia for a single entry on cannabis, threatening Facebook over gaymojis, outlawing memes and demanding Google loosen its Android policies, the Russian government has now reportedly ordered Twitter to move data on the country's citizens to local servers.

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• Periscope's skip-ahead update hits mobile, with 3D Touch on iOS

  Periscope's latest update hit the web late last week, and today it's live across Android and iOS devices, with some special twists. Mobile users can now fast-forward and rewind through replays, as promised. The app's Global Map has a few more functions, as follows: Zoom in on a location and the map will show live broadcasts (red dots) and replays (blue dots) from the past 24 hours. Anyone with Periscope on an iPhone 6s or 6s Plus can use 3D Touch to press down on the app icon and pull up a menu of options: Search People, Teleport (which takes you to a random live stream), Broadcast Mutuals and Broadcast. Android users finally get pinch-to-zoom in this update, as well. [Image credit: Periscope]

  By Jessica Conditt Read More

• Tinder hopes its new features will improve your odds

  'Super likes' be damned, Tinder is fleshing out its addictively swipey profile cards with more information aimed at connecting you with the person of your dreams / evening. As well as "intelligently" adding relevant information (including work history and education) on each suitor's audition card, the matching-making app says it's improved its learning algorithm to "drive more compatible matches." Machine learning will assess what Tinder users have been doing with the app to create an algorithm to help improve the chances of love. How exactly that'll help your odds, when everyone will still be swiping in one direction or another, remains to be seen -- we've asked Tinder for clarification.

  By Mat Smith Read More

• LinkedIn promises to send only the messages you'd want to read

  LinkedIn is working on an email, text and push notifications platform called Air Traffic Controller (ATC), perhaps in an effort to avoid losing more money to settle another lawsuit. The social network for professionals was notorious for spamming members until those who've had enough filed a class-action suit in California. To settle the case, LinkedIn agreed to pay select members $13 million, and it also cut back on notifications to the point that it's now sending 50 percent fewer emails than before, or so it claims in ATC's announcement post. The new platform's expected to rein in notifications even further by using algorithms to guess the kind of emails -- and even texts, if you signed up for those for some reason -- you'd actually want to get.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Tumblr starts rolling out instant messaging

  Tumblr now has a legit private messaging feature you can use to chat with friends. It's a lot more basic than other messaging applications, so don't expect emojis or a way to paste gifs or attach files. A Tumblr rep told us, however, that the social network will be introducing more features, such as the ability to share posts and media, in the future. The bad news is that it's initially available to only 1,500 accounts, but you can easily activate yours by asking lucky friends who can already access the feature to send you a PM. They activate your messaging by doing so, and you can, in turn, help propagate it by contacting other users. Take note that if you don't want to receive IMs from random strangers, you can always switch your blog's settings to receive only messages from people you follow. Don't worry if you don't know anyone who can help you turn messaging on, though -- Tumblr says it will be out to all users by early December.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Facebook lets you know when celebrities are streaming live video

  No, Facebook isn't opening up its live streaming feature to the hoi polloi just yet, but it does have the next best thing. It's rolling out a subscription feature to Facebook Live that lets you know the next time your favorite celebrity starts a stream. You'll have to tap the button on a live video (seriously, shouldn't this always be available?), but it'll keep you in the loop the next time a star has a big announcement or Q&A. Clearly, Facebook isn't worried about competing directly with Twitter's Periscope right now -- it's more interested in boosting the profiles of its best-known users than giving everyone a chance to share their lives on camera.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Pinterest's redesigned profiles make it easier to find pins later

  If you're an avid pinner, finding items on your Pinterest boards can sometimes be quite the chore. Thanks to today's update, though, you should spend less time hunting for what you're after. The online repository updated user profiles to show the items you're most likely looking for first. Recently pinned items and boards are now shown first, as Pinterest says users search for items they've added in the last month most often. You can also browse by topic from your profile or from any board. If you're perusing that "Healthy eats" board pictured above, for example, you can tap "salad" to narrow the results. You can also sort your boards according to which ones were to pinned to recently or in alphabetical order. The new features are rolling out on Android and iOS starting today, so you should see the tools soon enough.

  By Billy Steele Read More

• Facebook must stop tracking non-users in Belgium, or else

  If you thought Facebook was already in hot water for its web tracking, you haven't seen anything yet. A Belgian court has given Facebook 48 hours to stop violating the country's privacy law by following non-users with a web cookie. If it doesn't, it risks fines of up to €250,000 ($269,000) per day -- it can't exactly afford to take its time. Facebook is appealing the decision and tells the BBC the cookie is needed to "keep Facebook secure," but we wouldn't count on Belgium's sympathy when it's worried about safeguarding its residents. [Image credit: AP Photo/Ezequiel Scagnetti]

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Facebook Photo Magic asks you to send pics to photographed friends

  Facebook is testing out Photo Magic, a new facial-recognition feature that prompts users to send photos via Messenger directly to the people in the shots. The test hits Australia today on Android, with an iOS rollout planned for later this week. Photo Magic uses the same tech as Facebook's Moments and tag-suggestion features, and for your friends to receive photos of themselves, they need to have Moments installed, Verge reports. When you open the updated Messenger app, it'll scan your smartphone's camera roll (after you give it permission to do so) and select a snap that features you and some Facebook friends. You can then send it to those folks with one tap; Messenger will open up a new group thread if there are multiple people in the shot. After that, if you take a photo with some Facebook buddies, Messenger will offer the option to send it right to them. Of course, users can opt out of facial recognition in Facebook's settings page. Photo Magic should make its way to countries outside of Australia within a few months. [Image credit: Shutterstock]

  By Jessica Conditt Read More

• The President finally has a Facebook page

  For all of the White House's efforts to join the internet era, it's been awfully slow at giving the President a Facebook presence. It's not dragging its heels any longer, though: President Obama (and presumably, any future President) now has an official Facebook page. Besides giving the political leader a chance to explain agendas, it'll help you share your thoughts and chat with other concerned residents. The move was virtually necessary when over a billion people use Facebook every day, but it's hard to knock something that puts you in closer contact with your government. Let's just hope that the President has someone keeping a close eye on the comments -- if you think the politically-charged discussions in your own Facebook feed can get bad, you can imagine what it'd be like for a head of state.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Pinterest's visual search tool can identify items in a pin

  Lots of people turn to Pinterest for inspiration, but it can be a hassle to figure out who makes that whiskey barrel table. Now that the site has buyable pins and shopping pins, it has launched a visual search tool to make it easier to find (and buy) that thing you saw. The tool is dead simple to use -- when you see an object in a scene, like the light fixture shown above, you just select the search tool and draw a box around it. If it's in Pinterest's database, it'll show you the name and where to find it, then let you buy it directly from retailers like Neiman Marcus or Macy's, if available.

  By Steve Dent Read More

• Snapchat's video viewing triples in just six months

  Have you been watching a lot of video on Snapchat lately? You're not alone... far from it, in fact. Snapchat has confirmed to the Financial Times that its video viewing has tripled in half a year, to the point where people are watching 6 billion clips every day. It didn't explain the sudden uptick, but it wouldn't be surprising if it's a combination of a growing user base with Discover and the increasing volume of Live Stories you can watch. Snapchat isn't just for recording private messages for your friends, then -- it may well be a one-stop video shop for some people.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Instagram reportedly testing ads that use 3D Touch and Apple Pay (update)

  Instagram ads have been around for some time now, but a new report claims the company is looking to boost the in-app shopping experience. According to Digiday, the photo-sharing app is testing 3D Touch and Apple Pay support for those ads from companies that are looking to sell you goods. With the former tool, a long press could give users access to multiple offers or items instead of just one from the Shop Now button Instagram added earlier this summer. The inclusion of Apple Pay will tack on a convenient method for handling payments for iPhone and iPad users. As is the case with any rumor, we'll have to wait and see when, or if, the test features make their way to the app. Update: Refuting the report, a spokesperson from Instagram told Engadget "this isn't something we are testing at this time." If you see anything different in your feeds over the weekend, let us know.

  By Billy Steele Read More

• Facebook averaged over 1 billion daily users in September

  Facebook's growth shows no sign of stopping. Today is announced that it has over one billion users on average using it everyday. In August it announced it had passed a milestone of having one billion users on the site in a single day. By the next month that was the average. That's a year-over-year increase of 17 percent. Monthly active users increased by 14 percent to 1.55 billion as of the end of September, an increase of 14-percent from the year before. Meanwhile the company continues to see a majority (78-percent) of its ad revenue come from mobile. In the earnings statement CEO Mark Zuckerberg stated, "we're focused on innovating and investing for the long term to serve our community and connect the entire world."

  By Roberto Baldwin Read More

• Pinterest's shopping pins arrive on Android for the holiday frenzy

  After launching its Buyable Pins on iOS earlier this summer, Pinterest is looking to let the Google faithful in on the goods, too. As of today, the online repository is rolling out the feature to Android users. This means that you'll be able to purchase goods from retailers large and small without having to leave the app. We're talking stuff from the likes of Macy's, Bloomingdale's, Neiman Marcus and more. In fact, the tally of Buyable Pins now numbers 60 million and a new Pinterest Shop curates trends for easy access. Just like regular ol' pins, you can search for the shopping items and filter them based on price and other criteria to find the exact items you're after. While today's news means Buyable Pins are available on both Android and iOS, they remain absent from the web for now, but Pinterest plans to employ them in your browser "in the future."

  By Billy Steele Read More

• Twitter replaces stars with hearts because it loves new users

  Say goodbye to favs. The Twitter stars you've so desperately collected over the years with your witty status updates are being replaced with hearts. Starting today, both Twitter and Vine will start transitioning to "likes." According to Akarshan Kumar, Twitter product manager, stars could be confusing to new users, "you might like a lot of things, but not everything can be your favorite." The social network has been testing hearts since June and says that those people love it and that the heart symbol transcends languages and cultures.

  By Roberto Baldwin Read More

• Snapchat tells everyone to chill out over its new privacy policy

  A few days ago, Snapchat updated its terms of use and privacy policy with some broadly-worded clauses that sent the internet into a tailspin. If you read it one way, you'd think that the firm would begin stockpiling your genital selfies, share them with the world and not even delete the pic on request. Of course, the company has now gone into damage-control mode, asking everyone to relax and clarifying that shots of your downstairs region remain your own business -- unless some cheeky individual screenshots something that they shouldn't.

  By Daniel Cooper Read More

• Instagram used Halloween to test a new, curated video channel

  Snapchat has its Stories, Twitter has moments and, as of Halloween, Instagram has 'Best Videos.' It's not the catchiest name in the world, but it delivers. The feature launched with a curated collection of holiday-themed Instagram videos all bundled under a simple headline: "Watch Halloween's best videos." Clicking it presents you with a continuous stream of trick-or-treating, singing, scaring and, of course, Thriller dance-offs.

  By Sean Buckley Read More

Space (32)

• Black hole ejects massive energy jet after devouring a star

  For the first time, scientists have caught a glimpse of a black hole ejecting a hot "flare" of matter after devouring a star the size of our sun. The discovery was made thanks to the quick action of of scientists from John Hopkins University, who worked in conjunction with a team from the University of Oxford. Hubble fellow Sjoert van Velzen from Hopkins heard last year that Ohio State U researchers had spotted a transient star that was caught in the gravitational pull of a black hole some 300 million light years away. In theory, the event (dubbed ASASSN-14li) would result in a "tidal disruption" of the star, resulting in a hot flare burst energy jet emitted by the supermassive black hole.

  By Steve Dent Read More

• Debris from SpaceX's Falcon 9 washes up in England

  When SpaceX sends Falcon 9 rockets up into the skies above Florida's Cape Canaveral, there's no telling what will happen to the projectile should it complete its mission or fails to reach orbit altogether. It's been almost five months since Elon Musk and co. confirmed a faulty strut caused its CRS-7 rocket to break up shortly after launch, but yesterday debris from an even older project, the CRS-4, materialized. It wasn't found on the Eastern US seaboard, but thousands of miles away in a cluster of islands just off the southwest coast of England.

  By Matt Brian Read More

• NASA to test sugary bacteria as space-based power source

  Following its successful harvest of red leaf lettuce, NASA has announced plans to launch genetically engineered bacteria into orbit to see if they can be harnessed by future astronauts as potent survival resource. The experiment is scheduled to take place in 2017 and will study the genus Anabaena. The sugars that these cyanobacterium photosynthesize can be fed to other genetically-modified bacteria in a system the agency calls PowerCell. These second-stage bacteria would, in turn, generate chemicals, food, fuel and even medicine for far-flung astronauts. "The first pilgrims who came to the Americas didn't bring all their food for the rest of their lives," Lynn Rothschild of NASA's Ames Research Center, said in a statement. "You need to live off the land."

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• Watch ESA explain how it plans to find gravitational waves

  In just under a week the European Space Agency (ESA) will launch its LISA Pathfinder spacecraft on a Vega rocket. Buried within the vessel are two cubes made of gold-platinum which, scientists hope, can lay the groundwork for measuring gravitational waves in space. The theories and testing procedures can be tricky to wrap your head around, but thankfully the ESA has made some explainer videos (below) to help you out.

  By Nick Summers Read More

• President signs pro-asteroid mining bill into law

  And just like that, American asteroid mining efforts are legal. President Obama has signed the US Commercial Space Launch Competitiveness Act (CSLCA) into law following Congress' approval, letting companies keep whatever resources they collect beyond Earth. As you might imagine, hopeful mining outfits like Planetary Resources are relieved. While the odds weren't that high that the government would confiscate their minerals as soon as they landed, the Act removes any ambiguity.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• NASA installs the first mirror on the Hubble's replacement

  NASA announced on Wednesday that it had successfully installed the first of 18 mirrors on the new James Webb space telescope. The work took place at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland earlier this week.

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• That star's 'alien megastructure' is likely just a swarm of comets

  Occam's Razor apparently holds true everywhere, even in the farthest reaches of space. While researchers speculated that star KIC 8462852's mysterious dimming might be the result of alien megastructures, NASA is about to publish evidence supporting the theory that it's really just a swarm of comets. Based on the strange dimming and the moderate infrared light levels, you may be looking at a pack of cold comets on a "very long, eccentric" orbit. If so, the strange signatures over the years reflect different-size comets passing around the star.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• NASA tests Orion spacesuit in low-gravity environment

  Since NASA modified its old "pumpkin suit" for future missions aboard the Orion spacecraft, it has to undergo testing to ensure that it's tougher and more mobile than its predecessor. These days, NASA has been testing it aboard a C9 aircraft, which can fly in parabolas to simulate weightlessness. The agency even built a mock-up Orion cabin inside in order to see if astronauts will be capable of performing various tasks while wearing the suit. Since the Orion capsule is meant for deep space missions, the Modified Advanced Crew Escape Suit is being developed to be able to sustain crew members in case of emergency and to protect them during spacewalks. Unfortunately, it'll take almost a decade before we see it used for an actual trip to space, as Orion's first manned mission won't happen until 2023.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Jeff Bezos beats Elon Musk's SpaceX in the reusable rocket race

  Blue Origin, the private space firm owned by Amazon's Jeff Bezos, has just dropped a huge gauntlet in the race to develop a reusable rocket. It just launched its New Shepard space vehicle (video, below), consisting of a BE-3 rocket and crew capsule, to the edge of space at a suborbital altitude of 100.5 kilometers (62 miles). The capsule then separated and touched down beneath a parachute, but more importantly, the BE-3 rocket also started its own descent. After the rockets fired at nearly 5,000 feet, it made a a controlled vertical landing at a gentle 4.4 mph.

  By Steve Dent Read More

• China and the US create a 'space hotline' to avoid conflicts

  The Kremlin and the White House famously established a hotline between each other during the Cold War to avoid annihilating each other by mistake, and history is repeating itself now that China is a powerhouse. China and the US have set up a "space hotline" to prevent orbital mishaps and misunderstandings from leading to conflicts. They previously had to go through each other's diplomatic channels -- a big problem when there's an imminent satellite collision or rocket test. Now, they should know the truth right away.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• NASA orders SpaceX to taxi astronauts to the ISS in 2017

  Right now, flying to the International Space Station means leaving from Russia, but it won't always be that way. Today, NASA announced that it officially ordered a crew rotation mission from Elon Musk's SpaceX, due to launch sometime in 2017. This is actually the second mission order to come out of the space agency's Commercial Crew Program -- the first order being awarded to Boeing back in May -- but it's still not clear which commercial outfit will have the honor of playing taxi for astronauts first.

  By Sean Buckley Read More

• NASA's FireSat system will be able to detect wildfires from space

  NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and San Francisco-based company Quadra Pi R2E are developing a space-based wildfire detector that can keep an eye on the whole world. This system, called FireSat, will be made up of over 200 thermal infrared imaging sensors installed on satellites in low-Earth orbit. It will be powerful enough to detect wildfires 35 to 50 feet wide within 15 minutes from the time they begin. And since wildfires spread very quickly, it will have the capability to contact authorities, so they can send emergency responders to the scene as early as possible.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Congress approves space mining, minus regulation

  American companies now have the all-clear to pursue their dreams of mining in space. Both the House of Representatives and the Senate have passed the US Commercial Space Launch Competitiveness Act, a measure that lets US companies own any non-organic resources they harvest from asteroids and other space objects. This doesn't give them sovereignty, but it does let them return to Earth without worrying that officials will confiscate their goods.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• ICYMI: Long distance loving, NASA's ice news and more

  #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-796087{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-796087, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-796087{width:570px;display:block;} try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-796087").style.display="none";}catch(e){} Today on In Case You Missed It: NASA scientists are tracking sea ice and say the Antarctic mass is larger than we've ever seen since satellite tracking began in the 70's. Sadly, it's still growing at a much slower rate than the Arctic's ice is shrinking. Fire fans can get their hands on a Pyro Mini device from Ellusionist, to launch fireballs from their hands like the true magicians they long to be. And we're making fun of a pair of devices because why not. The Pillow Talk is a Kickstarter that pairs an under-the-pillow speaker with a wristband to broadcast the sound of your heartbeat to your long-distance love. Meanwhile the TSTAND is a hands-free tablet stand that would let you lie flat and not have to hold a tablet at an uncomfortable angle. We recommend using them together for maximum nerd.

  By Kerry Davis Read More

• NASA wants to find out why zero G impairs human eyesight

  A previous NASA study proved that space can impair an astronaut's vision, which is a huge problem if we want to start sending humans to Mars. That's why the agency has launched a new study that aims to pinpoint the exact cause of "space vision" and to find a way to prevent or fix the issue. Under the leadership of principal investigator Christian Otto, NASA will "collect evidence to characterize the risk and define the [visual, vascular and central nervous system (CNS) changes]" in microgravity. In other words, the researchers will examine astronauts before they fly for the ISS, while they're living aboard the space station and when they land after their expedition ends to determine the changes in their bodies.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• NASA's chemical 'laptop' would help find life on other planets

  Planetary rovers can already find potential signs of life, but they're not really meant to find life itself. NASA may have just the device to find that concrete evidence, though. Its newly tested Chemical Laptop is the first device built to detect amino acids and fatty acids (the telltale signs of life as we know it) on other worlds. The battery-powered device needs liquid samples to work, but it has a coffee machine-like mechanism that uses hot water to get the organic material out.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Scientists chart Mach 7 winds on a Jupiter-sized exoplanet

  When scientists discovered a Jupiter-sized exoplanet in the Vulpecula constellation, they knew the weather there wasn't great. That's because HD 189733b orbits its star every 2.2 days at a speed of 341,000 mph and has an average surface temperature of around 2,240 F. A team from the University of Warwick in the UK has now made a rough weather map of the body -- the first ever for a planet outside our solar system -- and that news ain't great, either. Using the High Accuracy Radial velocity Planet Searcher (HARPS) instrument located in Chile, the team calculated that winds on HD 189733b rage at 5,400 mph, or seven times the speed of sound.

  By Steve Dent Read More

• Researchers use satellite launch blunder to test relativity

  Pop quiz, hotshot. You've just launched a pair of GPS satellites into the wrong orbit, rendering them useless for navigation. What do you do? If you're the European Space Agency (ESA), you re-purpose them to precisely test Albert Einstein's theory that clocks slow down near heavy objects. Since the Galileo satellites were placed in elliptical, rather than circular orbits by Russian Soyuz rockets, they pass closer to Earth at certain points. Our planet bends the fabric of space-time, so the super-precise atomic clocks on-board the satnavs will theoretically slow during those times, then speed up again when the craft move away.

  By Steve Dent Read More

• The Big Picture: A psychedelic portrait of Pluto by New Horizons

  No, you're not tripping. This is really Pluto -- it's just dressed in hues much more exciting than its usual cream, white, gray and copper. Think of this color scheme as the dwarf planet's mardi gras outfit, and the tamer ones as its office suits and classic dresses. The New Horizons team used a technique called principal component analysis to process the images taken on July 14th by its spacecraft's Ralph/MVIC camera. Their goal is to amplify the subtle shade differences between Pluto's regions, and seeing as the final product looks like a psychedelic world with several distinct colors, we'd say it was a success.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Japan is planning an unmanned moon mission for 2019

  Japan's space program announced today that it wants to become the fourth country to successfully land an unmanned vessel on the moon. The scheduled launch date is planned for 2019 and even though it seems like the world is focused on Mars and beyond right now, Japan wants to show off the latest in lander technology. The craft will use facial recognition software to drastically increase landing accuracy. The on-board technology can scan the surface of the Moon and make slight adjustments to touch down within 100 meters of the target landing site -- that's dramatically better than anything America, China or Russia have launched. Completing this project will help beef up the country's standing in space exploration. With this said, if it has taken this long for Japan to reach the moon, wonder what year they're going to get to Mars?

  By Christopher Klimovski Read More

• Astronomers discover the most distant Solar System object to date

  Little by little, the furthest corners of the Solar System are starting to come into focus. Astronomers have identified the most distant object yet in our planetary system, roughly 15.5 billion kilometers (or 103 astronomical units) from the Sun. For comparison, one astronomical unit is the distance between the Earth and our enormous neighbourly star. Scott Sheppard, an astronomer at the Carnegie Institution for Science, announced the discovery of the dwarf planet -- catalogued as V774104 -- at a meeting of the American Astronomical Society's Division for Planetary Sciences. It was observed with Japan's Subaru Telescope (above) and measures 500 to 1,000 kilometers across. A fascinating find, although scientists will need to track it further to work out its exact shape and orbit.

  By Nick Summers Read More

• Construction has begun on the Giant Magellan Telescope in Chile

  A groundbreaking ceremony on top of a mountain in the Chilean Andes on Wednesday has signaled the beginning of Giant Magellan Telescope's construction. Three years after blowing up the peak where the structure will be built, the GMT Organization's Board of Directors has finally given its builders the go-signal. It can afford to do so now that the US, Australia, Brazil and Korea have committed $500 million to the project. According to Ars Technica, bulldozers have moved in to level a road that goes up to GMT's location at Carnegie Institution's Las Campanas Observatory -- which also serves as home to other telescopes, including the smaller Magellans -- as soon as the ceremony was done.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Here's what the astronauts aboard the ISS have been up to

  The first piece of the International Space Station (ISS) was launched into orbit in 1998 and two years later, its first occupants arrived. It's currently the largest artificial body orbiting the planet and much of it's devoted to testing aspects of living in space. When astronauts aren't busy exercising, eating or working on David Bowie covers, they're knee-deep in an endless array of experiments and observations. We've gathered a sampling of those projects to see just what they've been working on over the years in their orbital laboratory.

  By Jon Turi Read More

• ICYMI: Astronaut recruitment, kegels for men and more

  #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-601646{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-601646, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-601646{width:570px;display:block;} try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-601646").style.display="none";}catch(e){}Today on In Case You Missed It: A Kickstarter project called KGoal Boost is aimed at helping men strengthen their kegel muscles (the ones at the base of the pelvis) and we had to give it the ICYMI treatment. NASA will begin recruiting astronauts for a new class on December 14. And Lytro announced a new virtual reality camera that would change the traditional multi-camera set-up to collect VR content and turn it into needing only one (very expensive) camera.

  By Kerry Davis Read More

• Citizen Mars: the bonus bits

  #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-942801{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-942801, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-942801{width:630px;display:block;} try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-942801").style.display="none";}catch(e){} The Mars One candidates have a single goal: to help establish the first human settlement on the Red Planet. Over the course of five episodes, we've seen them weigh up what it takes to become a Mars One astronaut and the costs of leaving everyone and everything behind. Now, in these bonus clips, they're asked how they would face some particularly challenging situations in their new Martian habitat.

  By Matt Brian Read More

• New Horizons is now on track to explore the outer solar system

  After snapping beautiful images of Pluto, New Horizons has set its sights on an ancient body in the Kuiper Belt. The space probe has completed the last of four maneuvers and is now on course for "2014 MU69" with an expected interception date of January 2019 (if the project gets NASA's seal of approval). As glorious as a trip into the unknown would be, even just executing these targeting burns is an impressive effort considering how far away from Earth the probe is. "This is another milestone in the life of an already successful mission that's returning exciting new data every day," said Curt Niebur, New Horizons program scientist at NASA Headquarters. "These course adjustments preserve the option of studying an even more distant object in the future, as New Horizons continues its remarkable journey."

  By Christopher Klimovski Read More

• NASA's closer to knowing why Mars' surface is cold and dead

  It looks like NASA's figured out one of the reasons why Mars isn't fit for human -- or any other kind -- of life. The space agency held another press conference to discuss why Mars has turned from what was thought to be a wet, lush planet (that might have contained surface life) into a cold, desolate place. The likely culprit? Solar winds. With a little help from the MAVEN probe (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution), researchers were able to figure out how much of the planet's atmosphere is being stripped away by solar winds -- around 1/4 pound of gas every second. Bruce Jakosky, MAVEN's principal investigator at the University of Colorado, likened the atmospheric loss to taking a small amount of coins out of a cash register every day -- at first it's insignificant, but over time can have a big impact.

  By Christopher Klimovski Read More

• NASA photos show the Antares rocket explosion in gritty detail

  When Orbital Sciences' Antares rocket exploded last year, your only real view at the time was a grainy video. However, you should now have a much better sense of what happened: NASA has posted large photos from the failed launch on Flickr. They not only show the incident in exceptional (almost uncomfortable) detail, but do a better job of illustrating the magnitude of what happened. This was a very large vehicle coming down very quickly, and the impact enveloped much of the launch site in fire and smoke.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• NASA wants to hire more astronauts

  Have you dreamed of becoming a space explorer? You now have your chance to do something about it: after a four-year silence, NASA is once again hiring new astronauts. The recruiting drive will run between December 14th and mid-February, with the final selections made public in mid-2017. You'll need the right mix education, experience and stamina to even get your foot in the door (there's a long-term spaceflight physical, for example). However, it could easily be worth clearing that high bar.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Cheap satellite-launching rocket fails on its maiden flight

  Satellite-launching rocket programs like SpaceX, Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin are household names thanks to the larger-than-life personalities behind them. But you may not know about a modest program called Super Strypi. Developed by the University of Hawaii, Sandia National Laboratories and Aerojet Rocketdyne, it aims to use a small, three-stage "sounding rocket," to launch 300 kilogram (660 pound) payloads into low-earth orbit. Now that you're acquainted with it, we have bad news: It failed on its maiden launch in Kauai. The official video (below) shows the rocket apparently losing control, while a spectator video shows the in-flight breakup about 60 seconds after launch.

  By Steve Dent Read More

• NASA Spacebot, what big eyes you have

  Space isn't exactly the safest of places for squishy meatbags like us, what with the lack of atmosphere and all. But when satellites in orbit break, somebody's got to fix them. That's why NASA is developing a robotic remote viewing system called the VIPIR (Visual Inspection Poseable Invertebrate Robot). It leverages an articulating borescope as well as a zoom-lens camera to help Earth-bound engineers troubleshoot external issues aboard the ISS, launch vehicles and satellites. NASA is currently in the second phase of operational testing with the VIPIR. Eventually the space agency hopes to eventually pair these eyes with Dextre, Canada's dual-armed spacebot that is currently serving aboard the ISS.

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• The International Space Station celebrates its 15th birthday

  The International Space Station's assembly in low-Earth orbit began in 1998: the Russian modules arrived via autonomous rockets, whereas the American parts were delivered by a Space Shuttle. It wasn't until November 2000, however, when the first batch of humanity's representatives blasted off on a Soyuz spacecraft to live aboard the artificial satellite. Since then, it has served as both home and orbiting research facility to astronauts and cosmonauts from the space agencies that helped build it: NASA, Roscosmos (Russia), ESA (Europe), JAXA (Japan) and CSA (Canada). Each expedition typically lasts six months, and everyone onboard is expected to perform scientific experiments, such as growing vegetables, printing 3D objects and observing how animals fare in space. They also do maintenance work on the vehicle, which can be more exciting than it sounds, considering some instances require them to do spacewalks.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

Streaming (53)

• No, SoundCloud didn't remove a silent track for violating copyright

  On November 22nd, artist collective DJ Detweiler posted a screenshot of a message from SoundCloud that said its track, "John Cage - 4'33 (DJ DETWEILER REMIX)," had been removed because it appeared to contain copyrighted content. The joke here is that the original "4'33"" is completely silent and a remix would supposedly be just as soundless. DJ Detweiler shared the image with the caption, "MADE A NEW REMIX TODAY, SOMEHOW THIS HAPPENED," and tagged a handful of music publications. The story was picked up online with headlines decrying SoundCloud's over-reach of copyright law and the absurdity of content-protection algorithms.However, DJ Detweiler's "remix" wasn't silent at all, according to SoundCloud. "The upload referenced in the screenshot was not a track of silence and was taken down because it included Justin Bieber's 'What Do You Mean' without the rightsholder's permission," the company says.

  By Jessica Conditt Read More

• Sonos will support Apple Music starting December 15th

  Sonos will close a major gap in the services that it supports on December 15th -- that's when the company's products will start working with Apple Music. The company said that this would happen by the end of the year back in June, just before Apple Music launched, and it seems that it'll make good on its promises. The service will first be available as part of an open beta, with full availability to come in early 2016.

  By Nathan Ingraham Read More

• BBC Three to go off air and move online in February next year

  The writing is well and truly on the wall: BBC Three will cease to exist as a broadcast TV channel from February next year. The plan to take BBC Three off the air and reinvent it online has been a long time coming, as part of an ongoing cost-cutting exercise that may also spell the death of the BBC's Red Button services. The BBC Trust provisionally approved the move this summer ahead of a final review of how the transition to an online-only channel would be handled. Today, the broadcaster's governing body has issued its final decision, formally green lighting BBC Three's digital transformation.

  By Jamie Rigg Read More

• Amazon Video gets a bunch of new features on iOS

  Amazon has released a ton of new features for its Video app. The update includes 3D touch support, Next Up (which is basically auto-play), picture-in-picture and X-Ray, which offers a wealth of IMDB information and trivia at the touch of a button. Even though some of these features are iPad exclusive (like picture-in-picture) they can help Amazon stand up against competition like Netflix when content alone won't carry the day. The 3D touch option is only available on Apple's latest smartphone offerings, the 6s and 6s Plus, and lets you access a number of features faster, but offers nothing in the way of exclusive functionality. Also, the app has been customized for the iPad Pro, meaning Amazon-exclusive content is bigger and better than it's ever been before. What more could you ask for?[Image credit: AOL]

  By Christopher Klimovski Read More

• Amazon starts streaming Prime music and videos on JetBlue

  Back in May, Amazon said it would bring Prime Music and Instant Video to select JetBlue flights. Fast forward to today, over six months since the original announcement, and the retailer is finally turning this feature on for Amazon Prime customers. If you're a subscriber who's flying in one of JetBlue's Fly-Fi-ready planes, you can stream tunes, movies and TV shows at no extra cost thanks to the airline's newly developed internet service. The experience itself is built into the Fly-Fi hub, letting you easily access your Prime media library on laptops, iOS and Android smartphones or tablets and, naturally, Amazon's Fire devices. Amazon says this is already working on most of JetBlue's Fly-Fi fleet, with the full rollout expected to be completed by November 26th.

  By Edgar Alvarez Read More

• ITV launches 'Hub' with a focus on live TV

  Wave farewell to ITV Player and say hello to ITV Hub. The British broadcaster has revamped its TV streaming service today with an updated design and navigation. The channels are now separated into different tabs with a large video player at the top of each one, making it easier to click/swipe through and immediately start watching live TV. Alternatively, you can scroll down the page or use the good old-fashioned search bar to see what's available on-demand. You'll find that most of ITV's shows have a limited selection of catchup episodes -- more so than BBC iPlayer or All 4, anyway -- but there's at least something for the nation's favourites such as The X Factor, The Jeremy Kyle Show and I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! If none of those are your cup of tea (don't worry, we fall into that camp too) there's always Adventure Time and soon, Family Guy.

  By Nick Summers Read More

• CBS' streaming video service comes to Amazon's Fire TV

  Your Fire TV (or Fire TV Stick) just became much more useful as a cord-cutting device... at least, if you watch a lot of CBS shows. The TV network has launched an Amazon-native app for its All Access service, giving your Fire TV the same mix of live and on-demand viewing that CBS is offering on rival set-top boxes. You're still paying $6 per month and don't get any hardware-specific features, but look at it this way: you'll definitely be ready when the new Star Trek series begins streaming in a couple of years.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Netflix is bringing back 'Lost in Space'

  Netflix is known for its quality original programming. But every now and then it can't help but pick some low-hanging fruit like rebooting a classic series. Deadline reports that the streaming service has just penned a deal to remake 1960s classic Lost in Space. Originally set in a futuristic and completely inaccurate 1997, it followed a family who tried to colonize deep space and got lost when their navigation equipment was sabotaged. The program ended after a three-season run in 1968 and since then, others have tried to reanimate the franchise. The first was a movie adaptation in 1998 starring Matt LeBlanc (which says all you need to know about its quality). Then in 2004, a reboot pilot was shot but never aired. Rumours of a third attempt surfaced around a year ago, but fizzled out before anything was made. There's been no mention of who will star in it or when it will air, but here's hoping the Lost in Space Robot doesn't flail its arms and robotically warn us: "Danger! Danger! Another failed sitcom rehash!"[Image credit: Getty Images]

  By Christopher Klimovski Read More

• DisneyLife rolls movies, music and more into a £10 subscription

  Right on schedule, Disney has launched its own streaming service in the UK. For £9.99 per month you'll gain access to many of the company's animated classics, such as The Lion King, Aladdin and The Jungle Book, as well as live-action hits such as Mary Poppins and Pirates of the Caribbean. A selection of Pixar films are also available, including Toy Story, Cars and Monsters Inc. It's not the full Disney library, but the company says more titles will be added over time. And yes, that includes Frozen, which will be arriving next spring.

  By Nick Summers Read More

• Chill optional: 51 percent of US internet users watch Netflix

  Netflix's robust content library has helped it top nearly 70 million subscribers worldwide. Not surprisingly, the majority of those come from the US, where the streaming service has over 43 million customers alone. And, for the most part, people here seem to be fond of it. According to a survey conducted by research firm RBC Capital Markets, and first reported by Quartz, more than half of US internet users say they've used Netflix to watch a movie or TV show in the past 12 months. The study also asked people about what other video offerings they use regularly: YouTube came in a close second, right behind Netflix, followed by Amazon Instant Video, Hulu and HBO Go, respectively.

  By Edgar Alvarez Read More

• Rdio will transition subscribers to free accounts after November 23rd

  Following the news of Rdio's bankruptcy filing and sale to Pandora, the company offered some details on how its users can expect their streaming accounts to ride off into the sunset. Starting November 23rd, the service will no longer accept new customers and current subscribers can expect their accounts to be cancelled on the next billing date. When that happens, you'll still be able to listen to the free ad-supported version of Rdio until it shuts down completely, but the company hasn't given a specific date for that just yet. Rdio plans to let users export their data, including playlists and favorites before it's shuttered for good. The deal with Pandora is set to close in early 2016, and we'd surmise Rdio's brand of streaming will stick around in a limited form until then.

  By Billy Steele Read More

• Channel 4's All 4 will soon support Chromecast streaming

  Love Channel 4 shows like Peep Show, Humans and Grand Designs? Own a Chromecast? If your answer to both of those questions is "yes," then we've got some good news for you. From November 24th you'll be able to watch All 4, the broadcaster's live streaming and catchup TV service (and the successor to 4oD) on your TV using Google's tiny dongle. It'll work through the Chrome browser and the All 4 Android app, followed by support in the iOS app around mid-December. If you have a spare TV, the combo could prove particularly useful over the Christmas period. Now, if and when your main TV is occupied, you've got another way to catch up on shows like Homeland and Empire undisturbed.

  By Nick Summers Read More

• Jimmy Iovine thinks women need help finding music

  I was wondering to myself just the other day: Man, it is so hard to find music. I don't know how to turn on the radio. I don't know how to search for songs on Google. I don't know how to launch iTunes on my computer. I just don't know how to do a lot of things. Thankfully, Jimmy Iovine, the head of Apple Music, is here to help. Apparently it's all because I'm a woman. My boobs must drain a lot of brain cells! In an interview on CBS This Morning earlier today, Iovine said about the streaming service: "Women find it very difficult at times to find music, and this helps make it easier."

  By Nicole Lee Read More

• Comcast's new streaming app doesn't count against your cap

  Following T-Mobile's lead, Comcast is launching a new streaming TV app that will not count against users' data caps. The app, called Stream TV, is "an IP cable service delivered over [Comcast's] managed network to the home" company reps told Ars Technica. Since the data travels over Comcast's IP gateway rather than the internet proper, the traffic won't count against a user's monthly limit.

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• Rumor has it Adele's new album won't hit Apple Music or Spotify (updated)

  Adele's latest album, 25, is due to release on Friday -- but it's going to skip streaming services like Apple Music and Spotify, The New York Times reports. Adele's previous records, 21 and 19, remain available to stream, as do the new singles from 25. Back in 2011, it took a while for 21 to hit Spotify in particular, as Adele and company wanted to make it available to premium members only, and not as a free, ad-supported option.

  By Jessica Conditt Read More

• Garmin's working on an Android streaming stick for your TV

  Although Garmin is mostly known for its GPS navigation systems, the company recently started expanding its scope to other things including wearables. Now, according to FCC documents, Garmin looks to be ready to introduce an Android-powered media stick. As Liliputing reports, Garmin's Vivohub 2 (pictured below) is described as a device that can turn your dumb TV into a smart one -- similar to products such as the Google Chromecast or Roku Streaming Stick. Strangely enough, the leaked user's manual suggests the Vivohub 2 runs 4.2 Jelly Bean, which is far from being the freshest version of Android. In addition to that, the stick is said to come with a 1GHz Amlogic AML826 dual-core processor, ARM Mali-400 graphics, 1GB of RAM and support for both Bluetooth and WiFi.

  By Edgar Alvarez Read More

• Too good to survive: The rise and fall of Rdio

  Spotify is probably how most Americans were introduced to streaming music over the last four years or so -- the service has grown by leaps and bounds since it launched in the US in July of 2011. But a relatively small group of music fans were enjoying pretty much all that Spotify had to offer months before it hit the US. That group was using Rdio, and we'll now have to find a new option: Rdio will be dead soon, sold off to Pandora in a bankruptcy deal. The service will remain a cautionary tale about the brutality of survival in the streaming music world. A great product is important, but it's clearly not enough.

  By Nathan Ingraham Read More

• BT Sport ads banned for promoting 'free' Champions League coverage

  Once again, BT has been criticised for promoting its BT Sport channels with "misleading" TV ads. The UK's Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has told the company to pull a number of adverts, including a prominent one on TV, which promises free BT Sport access for BT TV and BT broadband customers. For BT, this is particularly bad timing. The company finally has the rights to broadcast live Champions League and Europa League football in the UK, after snatching them from Sky back in 2013. The two prestigious tournaments didn't come cheap, so BT needs BT Sport -- and specifically its new BT Sport Europe channel -- to be a resounding success. With that in mind, BT has been heavily promoting its European sports coverage as a "free" extra for all BT TV customers.

  By Nick Summers Read More

• Rdio's collapse will hurt Sony, Roku and Shazam

  When a company goes under, the firms that it still owes money to have to bear the pain of those unpaid debts. Rdio's collapse has, unfortunately, sent ramifications through the tech and music industries that'll see firms like Roku and Shazam reaching for the Tylenol. Music Business Worldwide is claiming to have details of Rdio's bankruptcy filing that reveals that it owed $2.7 million to Roku and $1.7 million to Shazam. In addition, the service had promised Sony Music $2.4 million and Facebook $495,000. Ouch.

  By Daniel Cooper Read More

• Sky reinvents itself with Sky Q

  Television is going through a period of transition that's greater than almost anything that's been seen up to this point. The inexorable rise of the internet, smartphones, tablets and on-demand viewing have combined to relegate the communal living room TV to being just another screen. That's a problem for Sky, which for so long has offered a single box -- more, if you had the cash -- as gatekeeper between you and its entertainment riches. The firm knows that it's going to have to adapt if it's going to remain king of your viewing universe, which is why it's launching Sky Q, formerly known as Project Ethan, the long-awaited set-top box, or should that be boxes, of the future.

  By Daniel Cooper Read More

• YouTube Kids entertains children outside of the US

  Some seven months after launching, YouTube Kids is expanding outside of America. Folks living in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand and the United Kingdom can access the family friendly section of Google's video wing. What's more, Mountain View says that the apps' been downloaded over 10 million times to date and that apparently more time has been spent watching "Wheels on the Bus" than "Gagnam Style." Mind you, the "Wheels on the Bus" video is almost an hour long versus just over four minutes for PSY's smash hit. Oh, and Google says to keep an eye out for upcoming holiday specials on the app over the next few weeks. [Image credit: Associated Press]

  By Timothy J. Seppala Read More

• Vudu movies take advantage of your Dolby Atmos and Vision gear

  If you've been itching to put your Dolby Atmos- and Vision-capable home theater gear to work, you'll be glad to know that you now have one more streaming option besides Microsoft and Netflix. Vudu has started streaming Warner Bros. movies (such as Mad Max: Fury Road and The Lego Movie) with full Atmos and Vision support, so you'll get more immersive audio and a high dynamic visual range if you have the right TV and speakers. There's no mention of Vudu offering similarly upgraded titles from Sony or other studios, but don't be surprised if the catalog expands quickly.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• LG's smart TVs will stream Google Play movies this month

  Who said that TVs with Google Play Movies & TV had to be running Android? Certainly not LG. It just announced that many of its recent smart TVs (including both webOS- and NetCast-based models) will offer Google Play streaming this month. While it's not as if you've been hurting for viewing options on any of these sets, this could be extremely useful if you prefer to buy or rent movies and want to sync your viewing between your smartphone and a big screen. TV shows will only be available on launch in Australia, Canada, the UK and the US, but you'll find movies in a whopping 104 countries.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• As Rdio files for bankruptcy, Pandora picks it up for $75 million

  Pandora, already one of the biggest players in the music streaming space, has just announced it is acquiring "key assets" from fellow streaming service Rdio for $75 million. However, this isn't just a standard case of one company buying another -- Pandora's press release says the deal is contingent upon Rdio "seeking protection in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of California." It sounds as if Rdio has finally run out of cash while trying to compete with giants like Spotify and Apple Music, and Pandora will be stepping in to use its technology to enhance its platform. The deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2016.

  By Nathan Ingraham Read More

• NBC's comedy streaming service starts free beta preview December 3rd

  If you want to give SeeSo a shot before signing up, you'll get your chance next month. NBC's comedy streaming service will be available as a limited free public beta starting December 3rd. During the web-only trial period, viewers can expect to watch classics from Monty Python, including The Flying Circus, The Meaning of Life, Holy Grail, and Life of Brian. There's also the likes of 30 Rock, Parks and Recreation, Saved By the Bell, and both the US and UK versions of The Office. If that wasn't enough to convince you to check it out, episodes of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and Late Night with Seth Meyers will be available the day after they air alongside 40 years of Saturday Night Live sketches.

  By Billy Steele Read More

• Vinyl brings in more money than YouTube for UK music labels

  YouTube views aren't translating into profit for British musicians, and even vinyl sales are bringing in more money. According to The Guardian, that is what British music industry association's (BPI) head honcho, Geoff Taylor, claimed when he spoke at the Music Futures conference in England. Unfortunately, he didn't back that statement up with exact figures, but he did say that BPI members garnered 14 billion YouTube views in 2014. Back in 2013, the organization reported that its artists sold enough vinyl LPs to earn a revenue of £12.1 million ($18.4 million), which was the highest the format has ever reached since 1994.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Variety: ABC is prepping exclusive content for its streaming service

  CBS isn't the only major network getting into the exclusive content game. According to Variety, ABC is planning to do the same. The programming will be available through WatchABC and the first show is said to be a scripted project starring stand-up comedian Iliza Shlesinger. You might remember Shlesinger from her Netflix specials. What's more, the network doesn't plan to use the new platform only as a means of keeping its properties to itself, but rather a testing grounds of sorts. If a show does well there, it could make the jump to primetime. If you'll recall, WatchABC provides live TV broadcasts (in some markets) and access to both to new and past episodes of shows, some of which require a paid subscription. Details are scarce on how much of the new exclusive content will require a pay TV plan, but this report follows similar moves by other networks.

  By Billy Steele Read More

• PlayStation Vue internet TV is coming to Chromecast and Amazon

  Sony's TV subscription service, Playstation Vue is expanding to the Fire TV and Fire TV Stick with Chromecast support coming soon. The electronics giant also announced a $5 price drop on Core ($54.99 from $59.99) and Elite ($64.99 from $69.99) packages. Subscribers will notice the price reduction during the next billing cycle. The Vue service already works on the PS4, PS3, iPad and iPhone. While a price reduction for bundles is nice, the streaming TV service announced at E3 it would offer up á-la-carte network subscriptions this fall. It'll be interesting to see the pricing of built-to-order subscriptions when this launches. PlayStation Vue is available in Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Philadelphia and Dallas with more markets planned for the future.

  By Roberto Baldwin Read More

• Beats Music confirms it will fade out on November 30th

  Now that Apple Music is firmly in place (and even on Android) it's time for Beats Music to go. An app update back in June greased the skids and an updated support page -- as well as emails going out to Sonos users reiterating the Apple Music support is coming soon -- notes the shutdown will occur on November 30th. That's a little over a year after Apple completed its acquisition of the music company, and five months since its replacement first appeared on the scene. If you're still subscribing then your plan will just cancel, but it's possible to move picks and preferences to Apple Music right now. [Thanks, Eddie]

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• Hulu reportedly wants to sell part of itself to Time Warner

  Time Warner might soon be joining NBCUniversal (Comcast), Fox and Disney as a co-owner of Hulu, the Wall Street Journal reports. The streaming site is said to be in discussions to sell Time Warner a stake of itself, a deal that would value it upwards of $5 billion. While talks aren't final yet, sources say the deal would likely involve Hulu's existing co-owners reducing their stakes in the site for an equal 25 percent split, down from 33 percent each. Having another media parent could give Hulu the muscle to better compete with Netflix. If it goes through, Time Warner will invest cash and give Hulu access to more of its content library. The news isn't too surprising -- we've been hearing since 2013 that Time Warner was interested in Hulu. And it simply makes sense, given that it has the backing of America's other cable giants.

  By Devindra Hardawar Read More

• Comcast's $15 Stream TV service launches in the Boston area

  On the heels of Time Warner Cable's streaming test for its internet customers, Comcast's Stream TV is live in the Boston area. That's if you're paying for Xfinity internet service, of course. Announced back in July, the service gives cord cutters who still use Comcast for web access the ability to stream all of the live television from major networks, HBO and a library of on-demand options for $15 a month. Sorry sports fans, it doesn't include ESPN, and you can only watch live broadcasts from the comforts of home. However, the on-demand movies and TV shows can be streamed while you're on the go.

  By Billy Steele Read More

• Spotify recommends concerts based on your listening habits

  Spotify's Discover Weekly feature curates a new playlist based on your listening habits every seven days. Now, the streaming service is using those tracks you play to serve up nearby concert recommendations, too. Spotify says the concert picks are based on the artists it knows you'll want to see live with some other acts it thinks you'll enjoy thrown in for good measure. Just like Discover Weekly, the recommendations will change with your musical tastes. What's more, when you're heading out of town, you can change your location to see which concerts are happening at your destination. The whole thing is powered by Songkick, and the Concerts feature hits Spotify's Android and iOS apps today.

  By Billy Steele Read More

• 5 Ways to Cut Your Cable Bill Instead of Cutting the Cord

  With the advent of stand-alone streaming TV services, many cable and satellite television subscribers have been abandoning traditional subscriptions for the seemingly greener pastures of Internet streaming. People tired of yo-yoing prices, confusing fees, and channels they don't want are jumping ship and opting for à la carte television from services like Hulu, Netflix, and even individual networks. Yet those subscriptions can add up just as quickly as your cable bill — and they might not be able to deliver the shows you want when you want them. Not all shows and episodes are available on every streaming service, and sometimes you have to pay for specific episodes or shows on top of the monthly fee. If you don't pay attention, you can easily exceed what you're currently forking over for cable. If you're tempted to join the cord-cutting revolution, evaluate your viewing habits and needs before saying farewell to your cable subscription. How many channels do you regularly watch, which shows are you addicted to, and when do you view them? Depending on your viewing habits, sticking with your current subscription may actually be the best way to stay tuned in to your favorite programming — but that doesn't mean you're out of luck when it comes to saving. Here are five ways to cut your cable bill without having to cut the cord. 1. Shop Around There's usually more than one option in town, and it can pay to check out the competition. Find out what other cable and satellite providers are offering in your area and see if your current provider will match their price. If not, you'll know where to get the best deal and can switch to a better package. Get started today by searching for nearby cable providers by ZIP code. 2. Bundle, Bundle, Bundle Many providers will give you a deal if you subscribe to multiple services. Find out if your provider offers a break for customers who bundle phone, Internet, and cable service. Average savings range from $15 to $30 per month, which makes a big difference to your bottom line over a year. Be sure to find out if a contract is required with the bundle, though, and consider whether your needs could change over the time that you might be locked in. 3. Stay in Touch Pay attention to the life of deals you're offered by your cable company and schedule a call for about a month before they're due to run out. Many companies bargain on the fact that customers often don't keep track and will forget that their rates are about to increase. If your free subscription is good for three months, make sure you give your provider a call to cancel or renegotiate before the increase hits your bill. 4. Know Your Priorities When it comes to deals on cable TV, one size does not fit all. The best subscription for you will depend on what shows, channels, and access you need. Don't give into a deal that doesn't make sense for you: if you never watch premium channels, a free subscription to one shouldn't be the reason you sign up. Make a list of the options that mean the most to you, and don't get distracted by offers that don't meet your needs. 5. Downsize Whether it's kids or roommates moving out of the house, having a baby, or changing work demands, your viewing habits are likely to change as other areas of your life change. If you've been catching all your favorites when they air, you might be able to get rid of that DVR. If you rarely have anyone in the guest bedroom, it might be time to shut down cable service to that television. Evaluate your needs and habits and change your plan accordingly. There's no reason to pay for services you're no longer using. It's great to have so many options for catching up with your favorite shows, but too many choices can make it hard to discern what kind of subscription makes the most sense for your wallet. Make your decisions based on your viewing preferences and stay diligent about your subscription. When it comes to cutting the cord, it pays to look before you leap.

  By Cosette Jarrett Read More

• 'Twilight' author Stephenie Meyer is making a show for Hulu

  You may still see Stephenie Meyer as synonymous with vampire books and movies, but she's determined to shake things up -- including where she puts her big-screen productions. The Twilight writer is working with Lionsgate on Rook, a TV show that's destined for both Hulu's streaming service as well as a currently unnamed UK TV provider. The studio isn't saying anything about what the show entails, although it's clearly betting that Meyer will help the show rise above the pack. Whether or not it does is still up in the air, mind you. While Twilight was a license to print money, Meyer's producer roles on Austenland and The Host didn't make those movies blockbuster hits. [Image credit: David Edwards/MediaPunch/IPX]

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Amazon Prime Video finally comes to UK Roku boxes

  If Amazon wants its Prime Video streaming service to properly compete with Netflix, it needs to be available on every major set-top box. Period. Today, the company is inching closer to that goal with some long overdue support for Roku hardware in the UK. Exactly why the "channel" has taken so long to cross the pond is unclear -- it's been available on US Roku boxes for years -- but it's a welcome addition nonetheless.

  By Nick Summers Read More

• Time Warner Cable's Roku TV test starts in NYC for $10 per month

  We've been telling you about Time Warner Cable's plan to test streaming TV for its internet-only customers since before it was officially announced, but now customers can actually sign up for it. If having a cable box is part of what you hated about cable TV, now internet customers can get access to the TWC TV app on a variety of devices without adding a box or having a tech come out. During the trial, testers will get a free Roku 3 player, and the cheapest plan (with channels like ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC and TBS among the 20+ included) starts at just $10 per month on a 12 month contract . Adding Showtime and Starz doubles the price, and testers can get a pretty healthy package with channels like Disney and ESPN for $50 per month. As we detailed when it announced, there's no DVR with this setup, but it is an easy way to get TV without some of the hassles. The main drawback here? Unlike something like Sling TV, this is only available to Time Warner Cable customers, and during the test it's only in NYC -- check out the site for all the details.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• Break out your paintbrushes again: Twitch launches Bob Ross Mondays

  When Bob Ross began painting happy trees and sunlit fields on public television in 1983, there was no such thing as Twitch, no online streaming and certainly no KappaRoss. But now, there's Bob Ross Mondays on Twitch. The streaming site will air The Joy of Painting, Ross' beloved show, every Monday from 3PM PST to 9:30PM PST, starting tonight. Isn't life in the future grand?

  By Jessica Conditt Read More

• Sky will show Premier League highlights on-demand next season

  It might have lost the Champions League and Europa League to BT, but Sky still dominates when it comes to the Premier League. Along with live coverage for 126 matches, the broadcaster has announced that it'll be offering "extended highlights" for every game on-demand starting next season. While Sky has offered these condensed replays before, they've been limited to its traditional TV channels. Now, starting with the 2016/17 season, football fans will be able to watch abridged matches whenever they like. Almost whenever they like, that is. Sky will release one full match -- with no edits whatsoever -- at 8pm each Saturday, followed by "extensive highlights" from the remaining fixtures at 10:30pm. Similarly, highlights from weekday fixtures will be available after 10pm.

  By Nick Summers Read More

• Time Warner CEO: DC Comics shows could be slow to hit Netflix and Hulu

  If you're waiting to catch up on Gotham or Arrow, the wait could get even longer. Time Warner CEO Jeff Bewkes told analysts this week that past seasons of DC Comics television shows could be slow to arrive on Hulu and Netflix. Why? Well, the chief executive said that the company would give preference to cable customers first, making those older seasons available elsewhere several years after they air. In case you didn't know, Time Warner owns DC Comics. Bewkes explained that Time Warner is set on "delivering even more value to consumers, especially those who subscribe to the traditional bundle." Eight DC Comics shows are now on the air, including the recent addition of Supergirl on CBS.

  By Billy Steele Read More

• YouTube rolls out support for VR video

  Google CEO Sundar Pichai took to Twitter Thursday to announce that YouTube now supports VR video. The site already offers 360 degree video but has now officially added Cardboard support as well. Compatible videos will now display a Cardboard icon at the watch page menu. [Image Credit: Bloomberg via Getty Images]

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• Facebook 'Music Stories' preview Apple Music and Spotify tracks

  In its on-going quest to make the sharing of things easier, Facebook has a new way to tell others what your listening to. The new feature, or post format, is called Music Stories. Instead of posting a link to the song or album you're listening to, Music Stories offer a 30-second clip from either Apple Music or Spotify. There's an option to continue listening via the streaming service the song or album was shared from, too. And you'll have the choice of making a purchase from iTunes (for Apple Music) or saving the tracks for listening later as well. While only two streaming options are supported right now, Facebook says its looking to add more services in the future. Based on rumblings about the social network's audio aspirations, we surmise this is only the start of having more music in your News Feed. Music Stories are only available on the Facebook iPhone app starting today, and there's no word on when/if they'll arrive on Android and other versions of the software.

  By Billy Steele Read More

• Disney and ESPN channels are coming to PlayStation Vue

  For all the channels that PlayStation Vue gives you, there have been a few conspicuous gaps: without Disney or ESPN, you didn't have much in the way of kids' programming or sports. That gap is closing today. Disney has announced that all of its media networks are coming to Sony's streaming TV service, including local ABC stations, the Disney Channel and (of course) ESPN's many offerings. Importantly, this is a rare chance to watch live Disney streams on multiple devices -- you can watch sports on your iPad while your kids monopolize the TV. Disney hasn't said when its channels are showing up or whether you'll pay a premium to get them, but this is still big news if you've wanted to ditch cable or satellite without springing for a relatively barebones option like Sling TV.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• BBC Store lets you buy and download classic TV shows

  Before iPlayer existed, VHS tapes and DVDs were one of the few ways to rewatch BBC shows. Unless you caught a rerun or had diligently prepared the VCR, that is. These days iPlayer reigns supreme, but catchup is limited to a 30-day window -- so there's still a reason to buy your favourites on DVD, Blu-ray or digitally. Today, the BBC is embracing the latter with BBC Store, a new site that lets you buy, download and stream its best programming. Roughly 7,000 hours of TV is available at launch, including shows that have never been available digitally before, like Dad's Army and Morecambe & Wise.

  By Nick Summers Read More

• Netflix will produce original Bollywood and anime programs

  Netflix CEO Reed Hastings announced the service will offer more original content in 2016, including Bollywood and anime programming. During his talk with New York Times journalist Andrew Ross Sorkin at the DealBook conference, he said that the company is always looking at new ways to introduce unique shows that other streaming services don't have. Next year Netflix is looking to spend around $5 billion on content alone and since it launched in Japan on September 2, there's never been a better time to broaden the scope of programming with an international focus.? What type of Bollywood or anime programs will Netflix release? Hastings didn't mention specifically, only noting that it has taken risks before and they've paid off (like Narcos, for example). Get ready for longer bouts of aimless scrolling on nights you're feeling indecisive.

  By Christopher Klimovski Read More

• Sky's Now TV app brings more UK content to Apple TV

  While the new Apple TV has been available to order for over a week, UK-centric apps have been a bit thin on the ground. Less than a week after the BBC confirmed that iPlayer is coming to the streamer, Sky has gone one better and released an app for Now TV. Its release doesn't come as much of a surprise, given the fact that it is already available on third-generation Apple TVs and the iPhone maker is actively plugging the service on its website, but it's good to see more broadcasters committing to Apple's new hardware.

  By Matt Brian Read More

• I'm not paying CBS to watch 'Star Trek' online

  Yesterday I got the best birthday present a lifelong Trekkie could hope for: Star Trek is coming back to television -- kinda, sorta. It's been over a decade since Star Trek ended TV production and, while fans have had two successful films to enjoy (or despise), corporate infighting between CBS and Viacom has kept the franchise from its rightful home on the small screen. However, it looks like the two companies have hugged it out with the news that a new Star Trek series will return to "television" in early 2017. And while this would normally be cause for celebration among Trekkies, the announcement doesn't come without a few caveats in terms of who's making it and how it's being distributed: The show will be produced by the team in charge of the recent films, and it will only be available via CBS' subscription streaming service, CBS All Access. It's a bit of a no-win situation (a Kobayashi Maru scenario, if you will) for die-hard fans who wanted to see Star Trek back on television. Star Trek may be back, but it comes at a cost: both figurative and literal.

  By Kris Naudus Read More

• Jon Stewart's return to TV will be on HBO's streaming TV services

  Even after leaving the Daily Show behind, apparently Jon Stewart just couldn't stay away. HBO just announced it has signed a four year production deal with the TV host that will kick off with "short form digital content." He's apparently working with the graphics company OTOY on new technology that will allow him to create and post digital content "multiple times throughout the day" (we're going to guess that means Snapchats, Periscopes and vines, but who knows) on HBO Now. We contacted the network and confirmed that it will be on HBO Go as well for cable customers. According to Stewart "Appearing on television 22 minutes a night clearly broke me. I'm pretty sure I can produce a few minutes of content every now and again." [Image credit: Phil McCarten/Associated Press]

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• BBC Radio 1's new show is designed specifically for iPlayer

  Now more than ever, Brits are discovering new music through streaming apps such as Spotify, Rdio and Apple Music. Specifically, listeners are tuning in to playlists that are themed around artists or music genres they're already interested in. The BBC seems to have recognised this and is doing something similar with a new, downloadable "Playlist" show on Radio 1. From January the programme will air every Thursday from 9 to 10pm, but more importantly, it'll also be available to download in the iPlayer Radio app. The show will rotate every week, covering different themes and moods, like "Ellie Goulding's Running Mix" and "Annie Mac's Ibiza Classics." The BBC already offers some show downloads in the iPlayer Radio app, so this idea isn't entirely new. The difference, however, is that the broadcaster seems to be thinking iPlayer-first, rather than radio-first now. It could be an early glimpse at the new, playlist-centric music service that the BBC has in the works.

  By Nick Summers Read More

• Time Warner Cable tests the 'evolution' of streaming TV in NYC

  Confirming plans Engadget exclusively revealed to you, Time Warner Cable is very close to publicly testing a way for its internet-only customers to get TV services. Fundamentally the big change is that until now, to get TV service and access to its streaming TWC TV app, you needed to be a "TV" customer and have a cable box. Soon, if you're a Time Warner Cable customer in New York City with just internet service, the company will also offer access to its TWC TV Roku Trial. CEO Rob Marcus told investors that the plan is an "evolution" of TWC TV, as customers eventually can get access to video without needing to rent any hardware at all. GVP & GM of Video Product Alix Cottrell told me that the focus for the test is making sure everything is "really easy and straightforward" before it's potentially rolled out to customers outside New York City.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• Sling TV now works with Google's Chromecast

  Just as Google promised, Sling TV has brought its streaming television service over to Chromecast iOS and Android apps. Even better, the company is offering a few deals to sweeten the pot. New customers who prepay for three months of Sling TV's "Best of Live TV" package (worth around $60, in total) are eligible for a free Chromecast. Current Chromecast owners can instead opt for a two-month trial of Sling TV, which you'll be able to sign up for from the Chromecast site today. We found Sling TV to be pretty solid when we first tested it earlier this year, and it's only gotten better over time, as more channels were added and the overall experience improved. The news also puts Sling TV on pretty much all of the major streaming boxes, aside from the new Apple TV. But we hope to see it there too -- even Plex has made its way to the Apple TV already.

  By Devindra Hardawar Read More

• Jay-Z's Tidal music service to offer original TV shows

  Under the management of Jay Z, music streaming service Tidal has slowly grown to more than one million subscribers. The company has sought to differentiate itself from the likes of Spotify and Apple Music with a mixture of high-fidelity tracks and exclusive video content, but it now believes that original programming could give it an extra edge over its rivals. Variety reports that Tidal has ordered two new series: Season 2 of New York street drama Money & Violence, which will debut in January, and No Small Talk, a series profiling rising comedians, which hits the streaming service today.

  By Matt Brian Read More

• Spotify gets serious about its country music curation

  Country music fans are flocking to streaming services and Spotify's latest hire shows the company is taking that segment of its audience seriously. The streaming service nabbed SiriusXM's John Marks to head its curated playlists for the genre. If you'll recall, Spotify, and other services, have made a big push with playlists built by both the artists themselves as well as notable personalities in the biz. While you may not recognize the name, Marks has a knack for discovering new talent and budding acts before they make it big time. For example, he was spinning tunes from artists like Florida Georgia Line, Brandy Clark, Chase Rice and others before they became popular. Spotify already has deals in place for exclusive country releases and to promote emerging acts, as it's already posted content from artists like Hunter Hayes that can't be streamed on-demand anywhere else. If you look to curated playlists to find new music, just know that Spotify's country collections are now in capable hands. [Image credit: ABC via Getty Images]

  By Billy Steele Read More

• Serial season 2 will stream on Pandora 'exclusively'

  Pandora will be the "exclusive streaming partner" for Serial season 2, which will reportedly focus on the disappearance of former prisoner of war Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, the music streaming site announced today. Never mind that many podcasting apps allow you to stream shows without subscribing to them. This deal won't affect Serial's distribution in any other way -- you'll still be able to find it on iTunes or subscribe in your current podcasting app. While it might seem like a pretty weak exclusive, the deal will likely open up Serial to a whole new audience who probably aren't following podcast trends. The first season of the podcast will debut on Pandora on November 24. Given that discovery is one of the bigger issues for most podcasts, this arrangement with Pandora makes sense, even if it's not something most Serial fans will care about.

  By Devindra Hardawar Read More

Tablets (6)

• I just don't understand why Samsung's Galaxy View exists

  The process is always the same. New gadget arrives, I use it heavily for a few days, and then slowly settle into the process of figuring out if it in fact serves a need in my life. Things were different with Samsung's massive 18-inch Galaxy View "tablet." I've had it for about two weeks now and I've utterly failed to find a use case for it. On the surface, it's not a bad product, but I just can't figure out why I'd buy one -- particularly at a price of $599.

  By Nathan Ingraham Read More

• NVIDIA's new Shield Tablet is just like the old one, but cheaper

  NVIDIA's first Shield tablet was a device that got almost everything right: The 8-inch slate had a crisp display flanked by twin speakers, a surprisingly precise built-in stylus and a powerful 192-core Kepler K1 processor. At the time, it was easily the best Android gaming device on the market, and a pretty darn good media tablet to boot -- but NVIDIA quietly put the Shield to pasture earlier this year. Is the company preparing to launch a new, more powerful Shield tablet? Nope: It's putting the same slate back on the market, albeit with a lower, $199 price tag and fewer bells and whistles.

  By Sean Buckley Read More

• AT&T will carry Samsung's ludicrously large Galaxy View on Friday

  AT&T announced on Monday that it will offer service for the gigantor 18.4-inch Galaxy View beginning Friday, November 20th. The tablet supports DirecTV and, as such, AT&T customers that sign up for a new satellite package as well as the two-year wireless service will get their View for $100. Existing customers will have to buy a new line on a smartphone plan as well as the two-year service agreement to get their View discounted. The tablet will be available in both retail outlets and online at ATT.com.

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• The iPad Pro's chip is not a big deal

  The iPad Pro is here, and it comes with a lot of promises. The most-repeated is that its A9X chip is a desktop-class processor that fits inside a tablet. Initial benchmark results confirm that this is by far the most powerful chip Apple has ever put inside an iPad, leading some to suggest that Apple's A9X is now at the same level as Intel's laptop chips. This could change the PC and laptop industry forever, apparently, with popular Apple commentators suggesting that "the future belongs to ARM, and Apple's A-series SoC's are leading the way." To put it lightly, that's a bit premature.

  By Aaron Souppouris Read More

• The iPad Pro's Lightning port supports USB 3.0 transfer speeds

  That's right -- the biggest iPad of 'em all has a USB 3.0-compatible Lightning port, Apple has confirmed to Ars Technica. iFixit found a controller for the new USB standard when it took the supersized tablet apart, and that came as a surprise because Cupertino didn't exactly advertise the feature. The compatibility means the iPad Pro is capable of transferring files at speeds that reach 5Gbps, whereas a USB 2.0 connection can only reach a max speed of 480Mbps. Apple had a good reason for not making a big deal out of it, though: you'll need to get an extra USB 3.0 adapter to be able to take advantage of the capability, since the tablet only ships with a cable that can handle USB 2.0 speeds. Problem is, that adapter doesn't exist yet, so you'll have to deal with slower file transfers for a while longer.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Apple's iPad Pro goes on sale on November 11th

  Two months ago, Apple announced the impending arrival of its gigantopad iPad Pro, but wouldn't be drawn on when we could actually buy it. After some pushing, a mumbled hint of November was coaxed out of reps, and rumors began to circulate that the device would ship on November 11th. Now the company has confirmed that the rumors were true, and so the first-generation iPad Pro is ready for the big stage as of this Wednesday. For the first 24 hours or so, the device will be an online-only affair, with product reaching stores "later in the week," which is a euphemism for Apple not knowing if the delivery van will arrive on Thursday or Friday.

  By Daniel Cooper Read More

Technology (1)

• Watch T-Mobile's 'Uncarrier X' live stream here!

  T-Mobile is holding another "Uncarrier" event this afternoon to announce, well, nobody quite knows for sure. Set to start at 2PM EST, the tagline for the invitation reads "we never hit pause," which kickstarted the rumor mill. A majority of speculators are saying that the wireless carrier will announce its customers will be allowed to use streaming sites like Netflix, HBO Go and Hulu without it counting towards their data cap. The wireless carrier already offers unfettered streaming of music sites like Spotify and Pandora, so the concept isn't entirely foreign. If these rumors are true, this could be an industry game-changer -- and get net neutrality advocates in a huff because of how unequally it treats data. Video streaming does use up a huge amount of cellular data, though, so this could definitely come in handy if you're looking to watch a TV episode during your lunch break at work. The only way to know for sure, of course, is to tune in.

  By Christopher Klimovski Read More

Tomorrow (9)

• Airbus' detachable cabin concept could save you time at the airport

  There are probably plenty of things that frustrate you about air travel, but waiting to take off or disembark is probably high on your list. Why should you have to board well before the plane is ready to get moving? Airbus might have a way to cut that idle time to near zero, though: it recently received a patent for a detachable passenger cabin that would lift into the airport gate. Your aircraft would only show up when it's actually ready to go, and would spend far less time on the ground as a whole (as it's just swapping cabin pods). It could also eliminate the convoluted boarding process, since you could take your seat right away instead of forming a queue in the terminal.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• ICYMI: Translation megaphone, live-caption headwear and more

  #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-819626{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-819626, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-819626{width:570px;display:block;} try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-819626").style.display="none";}catch(e){}Today on In Case You Missed It: A crowdfunding campaign to help the hearing impaired pairs a Google Glass-like head display with a mini-computer to create real-time closed captioning. International travelers who are impaired after a 14-hour flight will get some love at Japan's Narita International Airport with a megaphone that can translate Japanese messages into Chinese and English. Finally, gym rats will probably be into this Kickstarter for a towel (The Towell) which will give you a towel with a pocket and a magnet and that's about it, all for about $40 US.

  By Kerry Davis Read More

• Jason Giambi bets on virtual reality to train better batters

  Virtual reality has made substantial strides in gaming and entertainment, but there's another area where the technology could also prove useful: sports training. Kansas City-based EON Sports VR has been working on interactive simulators for football and, now, it's tackling baseball. Its latest, Project OPS, uses custom software and a smartphone-powered SIDEKIQ VR headset to train batters on strike zone awareness and pitch recognition through real-time, 360-degree video challenges. And to give this a sense of credibility, the startup recruited Jason Giambi, a 20-year MLB veteran with an American League MVP title, two Silver Slugger Awards and five All-Star badges under his belt.

  By Edgar Alvarez Read More

• Virtual Reality Is Coming and It Will Change The World In 2016

  Photo credit: Flickr Nan Palmero Ever wanted to visit Tokyo? How about the moon? Still too close? What about Mars? Pilot an F-15, ride on roller coasters that literally defy the law of gravity, or watch movies on a 300 foot screen. With new virtual reality (VR) technology, all of these experiences will soon become possibilities. And while virtual reality has previously been somewhat of a pipe dream still reserved to video-game developers and members of some R&D departments, 2016 will be the year when virtual reality actually becomes a reality for the average consumer. If virtual reality takes off, everything, from gaming to video entertainment to commerce, will change. An Overnight Success 10 years In The Making Virtual reality has been an idea in developers and people's minds for a while. I mean, who hasn't fantasized at least once about diving into a completely new world by "jumping into" your TV screen and becoming a part of your movie or video game's world? Well, with VR you won't quite be diving into the TV screen, but rather strapping it onto your head, or kind of: VR hardware mostly works through a headset and accompanying earphones and hand controllers. However, what this technology will be able to do is to is to completely submerge you in the world shown on its screen. Now, some forms of the technology already exist. Google Cardboard, for example, is literally a cardboard cutout that folds into a headset and uses your cellphone as a screen. Photo credit: Flickr It's compatible with most Android phones, and Google is encouraging developers to release apps using the technology. Google 360 allows viewers to have a VR experience of Google Maps, and a good number of VR video games, like Insurgent VR and Zombie Shooter VR are already on the market. In a somewhat controversial move, New York Times subscribers in the US recently received a Google Cardboard cutout with their Sunday paper, as well as directions to watch a 3D VR video through the NYT website, announcing that the future of journalism will likely also involve VR. But Google Cardboard is just the beginning. Photo credit: Flickr There's at least three VR devices in the making that are due to come out in 2016, and whose VR experience promises to run laps around anything you can achieve with your phone and a cardboard cutout. 2016: The Year Of Virtual Reality The Facebook-owned venture, Oculus Rift, probably represents the most anticipated device for VR enthusiasts. After much speculation and waiting, Facebook finally announced this summer that the X-Box-compatible headset will come out during the first quarter of 2016. Photo credit: Flickr (Older version of Oculus Rift shown) Oculus Rift will come with a pair of integrated headphones designed to maximize the VR experience, and it will come with an X-Box controller, although Oculus is also designing its own handset to be fully integrated with the technology. Oculus has also announced a partnership with Microsoft, and the two companies promise that streaming and gaming will be seamlessly available on the Rift through an X-Box or Windows 10 platform. Many think both console and PC gaming will be revolutionized by the technology. Gaming But X-Box will not be the only gaming platform offering VR in the near future. Sony is developing its own VR headset, formerly known only as Project Morpheus, and recently revealed under the name PS VR. The headset will be compatible with Play Station, and is also due to be released in the first half of 2016. With high definition graphics, ultra-sensitive motion detectors, and integrated sound systems, the technology will likely also usher in its own set of dedicated 3D VR games. Photo credit: Flickr A third VR headset due to come out really soon is HTC's Vive. According to some sources, HTC Vive may come out as early as this December, although it will probably won't be widely available until early 2016. Built with a gyrosensor and accelerometer, the HTC-Vibe differs from the Oculus Rift in that it uses laser sensors to track your motion instead of a camera on the headset. It also will come with its own wireless hand controllers. Photo credit: Flickr Challenges Ahead Although VR will inevitably face some challenges next year, not least of which is its high projected price, the fact is that important changes are coming for VR. With three high-power headsets developed by leaders in the industry coming to the market early next year, there is sure to be a boom of new dedicated applications, from gaming to 3D movies. And who's to say that only entertainment will be reached by the virtual reality revolution? Photo credit: Flickr The possible applications are truly diverse: As alternate universes become available inside the world of a VR headset, the travel industry may be profoundly changed, offering voyages to distant parts of the world by just downloading an application – you'll be there much faster than if you take a 20 hour flight to New Delhi, say. And the best part of it all is that there's no jet-lag. In a completely different field, NPR has reported how nuclear scientists use virtual reality technology to train for emergency scenarios that would be difficult or impossible to reproduce otherwise. The future is here To give just one more example, real estate developers might soon be using VR technology to make tours easier and more efficient. As the technology improves, so too will its applications. Uses of VR are endless and easy to imagine: education in virtual environments, defense training, engineering virtual factories, healthcare, communications, you name it. All that's really missing is for the technology to be widely available, and that's just around the corner. How do you think the world will change after the advent of virtual reality?

  By Eric Lancheres Read More

• ICYMI: Mobile music making, skateboard stroller and more

  #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-940559{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-940559, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-940559{width:570px;display:block;} try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-940559").style.display="none";}catch(e){}Today on In Case You Missed It: The iMaschine 2 app uses Apple's 3D Touch to record the difference in how hard you tap to make beats, a big upgrade since our wasted days using Simon. Construction on the Giant Magellan Telescope in Chile is finally going to begin, three years after the country first blew up a mountain peak where it will be located. The U.S. and other countries have jointly pledged $500 million towards its construction so we're eager for that to be finished. And the Quinny longboard stroller is a skateboard prototype that aims to 're-imagine the future of baby transport,' aka terrify grandmothers everywhere.

  By Kerry Davis Read More

• We pushed the in-flight WiFi of the future to its limit

  It shouldn't have worked, but I streamed an episode of Last Week Tonight, a Twitch broadcast of Fallout 4, the premiere episode of Aziz Ansari's Master of None and Meow the Jewels all at once, all on airplane WiFi. In-flight WiFi giant Gogo demoed its next-gen version of mile-high connectivity, 2Ku, above the overcast November skies of Gary, Indiana, bragging 98 percent coverage around the world (the poles don't play nicely with airborne internet) at peak speeds of 70 Mbps. The reality is transfers much slower than that on a plane with roughly 25 journalists, business folks and Gogo staff all doing the same as me: trying to break the internet for about an hour.

  By Timothy J. Seppala Read More

• ICYMI: Trekkie health scanner, car vending machine and more

  #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-924600{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-924600, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-924600{width:570px;display:block;} try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-924600").style.display="none";}catch(e){}Today on In Case You Missed It: A vending machine for cars (by Carvana) just launched in Nashville, removing the necessity of talking to a car salesman -- or anyone, really -- before driving off in a new ride. Stanford engineers made a health scanner device that can detect a tumor in your body based on the energy vibration that it sends out. And two crowdfunded devices aim to help snoring sleepers put a sock in it. The first, Nora, comes with a pillow that deflates or otherwise moves, to reposition the offending sleeper's head. The other, Silent Partner, is a nose wearable that allegedly creates a quiet zone around the sleeper by sending out canceling sound waves.

  By Kerry Davis Read More

• Visit this digital art museum in real life or VR

  There's plenty of digital art, but it tends to either be meant for the physical world, where it disappears within weeks, or is strictly digital and risks losing some of its impact. However, a team of artists is promising both. Their Digital Museum of Digital Art will both be available in real life at a virtual reality exhibit (currently in Brooklyn from November 14th through December 19th) as well as through Mac and Windows apps you can run at home. The two-pronged approach not only keeps you from missing out, but gives artists a way to reach a wider audience without diminishing the impact of their work

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Let's talk about sex: This is Computer Love

  Computer Love is a semi-regular column exploring the weird world of human sexuality in the 21st century. That's me four months ago, emerging from the frozen tomb of a near decade-long relationship. OK, that's Brendan Fraser, but when I finally surfaced from the cold-comfort coffin of love lost, I was thrust into a strange new world, where courtship starts with a dick pic, dating is done by phone and text messages are the preferred mode of romantic communique.

  By Christopher Trout Read More

TV & Movies (22)

• 'Top Gear' returns in May 2016 without Clarkson

  While Clarkson, May and Hammond develop a new motoring show for Amazon, the BBC is working on its biggest Top Gear reboot in years. Presenter Chris Evans (no, not Captain America) is taking over Clarkson's role and revealed last weekend exactly when the first episode will be airing. Well, sort of. During the BBC's live Saturday Kitchen show he said it would be broadcast on Sunday, May 5th. Which would be fine, if May 5th wasn't actually a Thursday. Whoops. The Guardian seems to have cleared up the issue though, clarifying that filming will finish on May 5th before the first episode airs on May 8th.

  By Nick Summers Read More

• Tarantino explains why he thinks 70mm is better than digital

  Famed film director Quentin Tarantino is well-known for his purist cinematic tastes and revelry of antique movie production techniques. His fondness for old-school cinema is on full display in his upcoming release, The Hateful Eight, which is being captured only in 70mm and shown as glamorous "roadshows". While the rest of the industry films almost exclusively in digital these days (not to mention that movie houses have long since mothballed their 70mm projectors) Tarantino has been dead set to make this movie on film. In the Fandango featurette below, he explains his reasoning for this insistence and why it's good for the fans.

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• 'Dragons Lair' movie project leaves Kickstarter, heads to Indiegogo

  Don't worry, Dragon's Lair fans, the proposed feature-length project is still happening -- but it won't be raising money on Kickstarter. Creators Don Bluth and Gary Goldman have cancelled their original crowdfunding campaign and will be relaunching it on Indiegogo on December 1. They promise it'll be "a stronger, more valiant campaign" that takes into account suggestions from fans. One big advantage Indiegogo has over Kickstarter is "Flexible Funding," which lets crowdfunding organizers keep the money they raise, even if they don't reach their goal. The pair aimed to raise $550,000 to produce a short to court investors and studios, who would hopefully back a feature-length Dragon's Lair film (which ultimately could cost upwards of $100 million). They ended up raising over $241,000 in one month before nixing the Kickstarter campaign. I can't blame them for aiming high, but honestly I'd settle for a lower-budget film backed by the likes of Netflix or Amazon.

  By Devindra Hardawar Read More

• 'Sesame Street' begins its first HBO season on January 16th, 2016

  You won't have too much longer to wait to see how HBO handles Sesame Street. The network says it's launching the 46th season of the kids' show on January 16th, 2016 at 9AM (Eastern and Pacific). You'll have streaming access to five years' worth of episodes on both HBO Go and HBO Now, too. Just be prepared for a different experience than you remember from your childhood. Sesame Street pisodes will run 30 minutes instead of a full hour (ostensibly to help kids "focus"), and there are "updates" to both the show's iconic opening as well as the homes of its best-known characters.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Recommended Reading: Marvel's 'Jessica Jones' is a different kind of hero

  Recommended Reading highlights the best long-form writing on technology and more in print and on the web. Some weeks, you'll also find short reviews of books that we think are worth your time. We hope you enjoy the read. Marvel's Astounding 'Jessica Jones' Rewrites the Definition of Superhuman Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times Marvel's Jessica Jones is now streaming on Netflix, and to properly prep for your marathon viewing season, take a look at a review from the Los Angeles Times. We've all heard the details about how this series differs from previous Marvel shows and movies, but it looks like what makes this show unique is also what makes it so good. Plus, we get a look at Luke Cage before he his own series.

  By Billy Steele Read More

• BBC could kill Red Button services in bid to save £150 million

  As the BBC continues to streamline its operations following a less than glowing government review, the broadcaster has announced a fresh round of cuts that it says will "address a shortfall" of £150 million in what it believes is lost money. It comes from what we know as the "iPlayer loophole," which lets viewers avoid paying the licence fee by watching on-demand programming only. While the Beeb works with the government to close it, the company says it will cut management positions and reduce back office staff, but also look into whether it could phase out important services like the Red Button.

  By Matt Brian Read More

• 'MST3K' needs Kickstarter cash to make its comeback

  If there's a much-loved but commercially unsuccessful TV show with enough of a fanbase, then someone's probably tried to resurrect it on Kickstarter. Now, following in the success of Veronica Mars and Thunderbirds 1965, Joel Hodgson is going to use the platform to bring back Mystery Science Theater 3000. He's looking to raise anything up to $5.5 million in the hope of producing a whole new season of 12 episodes mocking classic movies. It's hoped that, after demonstrating that there's enough of an audience out there, a cable channel or online service will help bankroll future episodes after that.

  By Daniel Cooper Read More

• Hollywood FX artists help doctors practice child surgery

  Boston Children's Hospital has formed an odd partnership with a practical special effects company to create more realistic surgery simulator models. Santa Monica-based Fractured FX is well acquainted with human anatomy (and gore), having worked on FX's bloody American Horror Story. It also helped recreate surgeries performed in the early 1900s on the Cinemax Series The Knick. For its part, Boston Children's Hospital has had a surgery simulator program for quite awhile, but decided it needed to up the realism quotient and give doctors a better "haptic" feel for patient's organs.

  By Steve Dent Read More

• ABC's 'BattleBots' reboot will come back for a second season

  Good news if you liked ABC's resurrection of BattleBots for the modern era: it's sticking around. The network has renewed BattleBots for a second season, albeit with some tweaks. It'll preserve the single-elimination tourney that you saw in the first run, but it'll double the number of competitors to include everyone from "expert roboticists" to "families on a mission." Logically, past winners will come back for another shot at glory. It's too soon to say if these changes will spice up ABC's robotic wars, but the show's audience grew significantly over the first season -- don't be shocked if there's a third when all is said and done.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Recommended Reading: The gadgets and cocktails of James Bond

  Recommended Reading highlights the best long-form writing on technology and more in print and on the web. Some weeks, you'll also find short reviews of books that we think are worth your time. We hope you enjoy the read. The (James) Bond Index Bloomberg Business With the latest installment in the Bond collection debuting this weekend, Bloomberg Business offers a guide to the drinks, gadgets, clothes and one-liners of the secret agent. The interactive piece is not only a handy reference tool, but it's rather fun to scroll through, too. It's certainly a must-read for the Bond trivia nerds.

  By Billy Steele Read More

• Syfy will premiere 'The Expanse' online before it hits cable

  If enough time has passed for you to be comfortable calling the network "Syfy," perhaps you'll check out its new TV show. The Expanse is based on a popular series of novels by the same name, following a detective and a ship's captain pursuing the case of a missing young woman before it uncovers a larger universe-spanning conspiracy (which is what usually happens). While its two-night TV premiere is planned for December 14th/15th, the first episode will hit streaming services later this month on November 23rd. Of course that includes Syfy.com, the Syfy Now app and On Demand, but also Hulu, Amazon, Google Play, Vudu, iTunes, Playstation, Xbox, Facebook, YouTube, Twitch, Wikia, IGN, IMDb, Good Reads, Crave Online and Roku. The only question now is whether or not it's actually worth watching even for free -- hopefully the trailer embedded after the break helps answer that one.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• Former Sony Pictures exec snags the rights to a 'GamerGate' movie

  Former head of Sony Pictures Amy Pascal is working on a film based on a coming memoir from Zoe Quinn, the game developer at the heart of the online controversy known as "GamerGate." Quinn's memoir, Crash Override: How To Save The Internet From Itself, is due to be published in September 2016 by Touchstone (a Simon & Schuster imprint), Deadline reports. Pascal, who now heads a production company under Sony, won the rights to Crash Override following a bidding war, according to the site. The film is tentatively named Control Alt Delete and Scarlet Johansson is looking at the script.

  By Jessica Conditt Read More

• The first full 'Warcraft' movie trailer is, in a word, epic

  Whether you're a veteran World of Warcraft player, a Hearthstone newbie or someone who loves a great fantasy story, the trailer for Legendary Pictures' Warcraft is captivating. Warcraft is due in theaters on June 10th. It's Activision Blizzard's first foray into movie-making -- but it's definitely not the last. The company today announced its own, in-house film and TV business, Activision Blizzard Studios. It's already working on a Skylanders cartoon series and films based on the Call of Duty franchise. Warcraft doesn't fall under this new studio's umbrella.

  By Jessica Conditt Read More

• Japanese 'Star Wars' trailer has new 'Force Awakens' footage

  Well this is a surprise. A trailer for Star Wars: The Force Awakens has just popped on Disney Japan's YouTube account, and it's full of unseen footage. Without spoiling too many surprises, you'll see Rey and Finn first introducing themselves, BB-8 watching an explosion, Han leading the heroes into a new location, a possibly important new line of dialog, and a shot with Rey and Kylo Ren. Enjoy!

  By Aaron Souppouris Read More

• 'The Witcher' will be a movie in 2017

  The Witcher is perhaps best known as a video game series, but its roots travel deeper than the digital realm. The Witcher games are based on a long-running series of novels and short stories by Andrzej Sapkowski, and these tales are being turned into a film, due to premiere in 2017. The movie will pull from themes in The Witcher and Lesser Evil, two stories in Sapkowski's collection The Last Wish, which was originally published in 1993; an English version hit the market in 2007. The Sean Daniel Company (the studio that produced The Mummy franchise) is teaming up with Platige Films on the project, alongside Oscar-nominated director of The Cathedral, Tomasz Bagi?ski. It's planned to be a series, assuming audiences are appropriately charmed by the leading, supernaturally powered man, Geralt. He's fairly bewitching, or so we've heard.

  By Jessica Conditt Read More

• Is a Star Wars Reboot Good for the Fans?

  Photo Credit: FlickrLightsabers, Death Stars, Jedi, an Ewoks: who doesn't love Star Wars? And with Episode VII, The Force Awakens, coming out this December, there's reason to be excited. As one of the movies that has inspired technological innovations, I can't help but wonder if the next one in the series will be remembered as fondly.Some controversy has arisen because the new trilogy will be somewhat of a reboot since it will not follow the storylines and characters given by the Star Wars Expanded Universe, including Timothy Zahn's Heir to the Empire trilogy. At the same time, everything indicates that the new movies will continue the plot and respect the basic premises of the first two trilogies.The question remains, though: What to think of these sorts of reboots in science fiction franchises?Star Trek seems to have successfully pulled it off with Star Trek (2009), and Into Darkness (2013), if you judge by the numbers or the reviews, but not everyone agrees. In spite of having a long Star Trek timeline to uphold, I thought they did a great job. I personally loved Nolan's Batman reboot, but I should admit that I didn't really have any previous exposure to Batman, so for me it was kind of like "the original" (and that's probably part of what producers are going after with these sorts of reboot series: newly converted or young viewers). And yet, you kind of worry that the only thing producers are really doing is squeezing every last penny out of what was once a great story and surrounding universe, but that they ultimately ruin the magic with these reboots. I mean, it's certainly happened before. Cough, cough: Fantastic Four, Jurassic World, Terminator Genisys...I believe it's important to keep our sci-fi franchises alive to inspire and strive for technology that might not actually exist today. You know the saying "If you can imagine it... it can happen!"Here's three angles to consider when evaluating a reboot. After them, my own opinion about Star Wars. Hint: much like the force's light and dark sides, it's hard to trace clear-cut boundaries here. (I'll be commenting mostly with Star Wars in mind, but you could really say similar things about all sorts of science fiction franchises.)AuthenticityBy making a reboot of a series or movie, producers risk departing from whatever made the original good in the first place. In the case of Star Wars, this wasn't so much a problem with Episodes I, II and III because George Lucas himself still directed them. But with Disney purchasing Lucasfilm in 2012, and J. J. Abrams replacing Lucas in the director's chair, you could worry that whatever they come out with in The Force Awakens, it might just no longer actually be Star Wars. Wouldn't that be ruining the magic?Keeping the Star Wars world aliveI think that the reason so many of us love Star Wars so much is because it creates a different world. It's just nice to suddenly find yourself in a world full of droids, podracers, stormtroopers, and Gungans. The idea of a universe where a great struggle between two different sides of the force takes place is somehow enthralling. But the memory of the movies that inspired that world in our imagination starts to fade as the movies begin to get older, and the universe too begins to disappear. Of course, there's things like Star Wars's Expanded Universe, where fans and independent producers write comic books, novels and even videogames amplifying and developing the parts of that world that Lucas himself left open. But at the end of the day, the thrust of that universe, a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away is those movies that we all saw in the big screen. With a new trilogy coming out, we can be sure that that universe will continue to exist.Consistency with the Expanded UniverseFrom comic books to video games to novels, franchises like Star Wars, Star Trek, Batman, Spiderman, and so many others are more than just the movies that originally inspire them. In a way, the fact that a bunch of fans and other people not directly connected to the original production contribute to imagining these worlds is what makes them worlds. But by rebooting these storylines and characters, the movie kind of betrays the fans. At the same time, because the Expanded Universe was produced by a bunch of independent fans and producers, their stories are not quite consistent with one another. In order for the whole thing to work, you need for this world to be coherent, and that's what you get when an official reboot comes along and says, "This is THE one and actual sequel to Episodes III-VI."My Take:A sequel reboot can ultimately be good because it keeps the alternative worlds that drive us to the movies in the first place alive. But it needs to be close enough to the previous storylines, characters, and themes that it remains the same world. So for example, in the new Star Wars trilogy, the storyline is supposed to be a continuation of Episodes I-VI, although it will ignore most of what the Expanded Universe had previously imagined.But at least this means that we will be able to watch all 9 movies one day (anyone else into binge watching TV?) and still get one coherent and roughly continuous narrative. If they really pull this off, then I'll be happy with this reboot series. We'll have to wait and watch the movies to find out, but I can at least say that I'm excited to go watch the premiere in December! What's your take?

  By Eric Lancheres Read More

• MPAA filed lawsuits in Canada and NZ to shut down movie pirates

  The MPAA can and will hunt pirates down wherever they are, it seems. According to TorrentFreak, the association sued three popcorntime.io developers in Canada earlier in October, accusing them of "various copyright infringing acts." Since then, it has successfully obtained an injunction, which ordered the website's shutdown. If you've never heard of the service before, it's a website that streams pirated movies, which even works with Chromecasts and AirPlay-enabled devices. It's not the only Popcorn Time version available on the internet, but it's the most popular fork of the original app that also shuttered because of the MPAA back in 2014.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Sundance and Jaunt are looking for VR filmmaking visionaries

  Sundance Film Institute has announced a six-month residency aimed at helping budding virtual reality filmmakers turn their ideas into dynamic projects. To make this a reality, the institute has teamed up with VR firm Jaunt, most likely because of the company's "cinematic VR" platform which consists of a 360-degree camera and specialized tools for editing VR experiences. "We hope their unique voices, diverse perspectives and creativity will help define the potential of this new medium," said Sundance Institute executive director Keri Putnam. This isn't the first experience Sundance has had with VR, some directors have already shown completed projects to festival-goers. After giving rise to revolutionary filmmakers like Quentin Tarantino and Ava DuVernay, the institute is now looking to produce stories that are complex, visually stunning and also totally immersive.

  By Christopher Klimovski Read More

• A&E and Vice hope that you still like conventional TV

  You may be devoting a lot of your viewing time to streaming services, but A&E reckons that you still have a soft spot for old-school TV. Its parent company A+E Networks is teaming up with Vice to launch Viceland, a 24-hour TV channel aimed right at that all-important youth demographic. They're largely leaning on Vice's edgy reputation to draw you in -- the initial shows include Gaycation and Weediquette, and Spike Jonze is overseeing the channel. However, they're also acknowledging the realities of an era where DVRs and online video are commonplace. Viceland is planning to run fewer ads during prime time, and there are hints of "innovative monetization strategies" that won't simply involve wave after wave of commercials.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Here's a sneak peek at the new 'Warcraft' movie trailer

  Legendary Pictures today released a 16-second clip of the trailer for Duncan Jones' upcoming World of Warcraft movie. The trailer itself will debut this Friday at Blizzard's BlizzCon event while fans will have to wait until June 10th to see the movie in all of its CGI-dominated glory.

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• The BBC wants to right Hollywood's 'Golden Compass' wrongs

  The Golden Compass was a critical flop, but thankfully Philip Pullman's epic trilogy of fantasy books, His Dark Materials, is being given another shot on TV. The BBC has commissioned an eight-part series based on the complete works, which will be made in Wales by Bad Wolf and New Line Cinema. The story begins with Lyra, an orphan that lives in a parallel world and finds herself swept up in a mystery surrounding strange "Dust" particles. She eventually encounters Will, a boy from our world, and the pair go on an epic adventure spanning countless cities and creatures. A TV mini-series should give the producers more space to explore the characters and their relationships. One concern, however, is the budget -- aside from Doctor Who, the BBC hasn't delivered many fantasy TV shows on the level of, say, Game of Thrones. His Dark Materials covers a dizzying number of worlds that, without the proper funding, could be rather tricky to pull off.

  By Nick Summers Read More

• 'Star Trek' (kinda) returns to TV in January 2017

  CBS has announced that it's going to make a brand new Star Trek TV series that'll begin airing in January 2017. The corporation has shoved a big pile of money in the face of Star Trek and Into Darkness co-writer Alex Kurtzman to be in charge of this new series. If you're eagerly soldering your TV's remote to make sure it can never be switched away from your local CBS affiliate, we'd suggest holding off for just a second. That's because only the first episode or two will air on broadcast TV, with the rest of the series becoming an exclusive for CBS' homegrown online subscription service, All Access.

  By Daniel Cooper Read More

Wearables (43)

• Swatch's payments watch is coming to the US

  Swatch has announced that the mobile payments watch that it's sending to China will also make its way over here. The watchmaker has teamed up with Visa in order to offer the Swatch Bellamy in the US, Brazil and Switzerland. It's the third entry on that list that's the most eyebrow-raising, since Swatch CEO Nick Hayek very recently criticized his home nation's own banks for being slow to embrace new payments tech. It looks as if Visa has stepped in to make its relations in Switzerland look fusty and slow by comparison.

  By Daniel Cooper Read More

• This 'Super Mario Bros.' watch will cost you $18,950

  How much of a Nintendo fan are you? Enough that you could spend as much as you would on a car, just to show the world where your allegiances lie? You'll want to talk to luxury watchmaker Romain Jerome, then. It just unveiled a limited edition Super Mario Bros. mechanical timepiece that marks the 30th anniversary of the plumber's adventures in style. And we do mean style: its 46mm case is made out of black titanium, and the three-layer dial is loaded with enamel-coated pixel figurines to remind you of Mario's early days. It's quite posh-looking, then, although the eye-watering $18,950 price will likely rule this out unless you're a high roller with some fond gaming memories. On the plus side, that ultra-rare Nintendo World Championship cartridge suddenly seems like a bargain.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• E-paper sneakers change your style on the fly

  If you're the sort to buy multiple pairs of sneakers just to make sure your footwear is always fashionable, you might soon have a way to save a lot of money. David Coelho is crowdfunding ShiftWear, or sneakers that have color e-paper displays in their sides. You only need a mobile app to change your look at a moment's notice (there are promises of a shoe design store), and you can even use animations if you're feeling ostentatious. The shoes are machine-washable, and the e-paper consumes virtually no power if you're using static imagery -- there's even talk of walk-to-charge tech that would save you from ever having to plug in or swap batteries.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Temp tech tattoos can monitor your health and location

  Chaotic Moon, a start-up known for conjuring fun projects like a shark-punching virtual game, has a wide range of applications in mind for the temporary tattoo technology it's developing. Called "Tech Tats," they're quite literally stick-on tattoos that look a bit embossed against the skin, since they contain electronic components, including a microcontroller and LED lights. Company CEO Ben Lamm called them "the new wearable" during his TechCrunch interview, pointing out that they can be a slightly more permanent version of Fitbit and other fitness trackers. They can, for instance, detect if you're stressed, monitor your body temp, blood pressure and heart rate, and then transmit all those data through their electroconductive paint.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Vine puts looping videos on your Apple Watch

  Vine teased months ago that it was working on support for the Apple Watch, and it's finally delivering on that promise. Grab the updated Vine app for iOS and you can watch those 6-second looping videos on your wrist (either featured ones or those from favorites) whenever you need a quick pick-me-up. You can set your total loop count as a complication, too, in case you're just that close to hitting an important milestone. The wrist-based app doesn't work quite the way it does on your iPhone, as you might suspect. Videos won't automatically play, and the audio goes through the watch's built-in speaker -- keep that in mind if you decide to watch cat videos while you're waiting for the bus.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• The Ion Belt: 'sleek,' safe and 'stylish' portable charging

  Have you ever wanted to carry an external battery for your phone, but hated the thought of creating even the smallest bulge in your pocket? No? Well, someone decided to fill that niche anyway. Ion Tech Wear is crowdfunding the Ion Belt, a 3,000mAh power pack that keeps your phone alive while it keeps your pants up. It's meant to be a "sleek" and "stylish" wearable that goes with anything, but it comes across as a phone holster-like fashion faux pas -- it's still a little too obvious that there's a gadget on your waist, and you're going to look a little dodgy plugging in that USB cable. This isn't even the first battery belt we've seen, for that matter. If you think you can pull it off, though, you can pledge $89 or more in the hopes of getting the belt in June.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• A Misfit Flash wrapped in glitter is still a Misfit Flash

  Misfit has teamed up with BaubleBar to create a necklace and bracelet for the Misfit Flash that'll provide the wearable with some much-needed style points. Essentially, the Helena Necklace and Bracelet are glittery lockets that keep the device tucked inside, hanging from either a six or 32-inch chain. According to the company, the pieces are "as smart as they are stunning" and will be available exclusively at Target from November 29th for $69.99 a pop. It's worth mentioning that the devices come with their own $29.99 Flash tucked inside, as well as the traditional rubber strap for workouts.

  By Daniel Cooper Read More

• Pebble Time watches can reply to texts on iOS (if you're on AT&T)

  Some Pebble users that link their smartwatch to an iPhone will now be able to reply to text messages straight through their devices. We say "some," because this is a beta release, and the feature's available to a pretty limited number of people for now. To be able to access the capability, you must have a Pebble Time, a Time Steel or a Time Round model, all of which were launched just this year. Plus, you must be an AT&T postpaid subscriber. If you somehow fall within the intersection of that Venn diagram, you'll be able to reply to texts either with a voice or a preloaded message. Pebble says its devices are the first non-Apple smartwatch "to bring voice and text replies to... iPhone users" and that it's working to roll the feature out to more carriers.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• HP teams up with another giant watchmaker on smart wristwear

  HP isn't done reviving its smartwatch partnerships just because it's helping Movado -- far from it. The tech pioneer has unveiled a smartwatch deal with Titan, the fifth-largest watchmaker in the world and a powerhouse in its native India. The two aren't saying much about what their new wearable entails beyond a design that's "responsive, but not intrusive" (what does that even mean?) and its support for both Android and iOS. However, it's safe to say that HP is doing most of the heavy lifting. Like with other Engineered by HP smartwatches, it's supplying the underlying hardware and software while the watch brand focuses mostly on design and manufacturing.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Fitbit Surge and Charge HR automatically detect and log exercises

  Just in time to entice holiday shoppers, Fibit is updating its Surge and Charge HR fitness trackers with a handful of new features. First, a SmartTrack feature automatically recognizes exercises during your workouts and records them in the Fitbit app along with details on duration, calories burned and heart rate. SmartTrack can determine if you're on the elliptical, outdoor biking, running, walking or doing one of a few aerobic workouts (Zumba, cardio-kickboxing , dance, etc.). It can also detect if you're playing sports like tennis, basketball and soccer. You can personalize the activity recognition too, telling the tech which movements you want logged as exercise and how long you want to be moving before it starts to track them. By default, you'll need to be in motion at least 15 minutes before the recording starts. When it comes to heart-rate tracking, the two wearables are getting improved PurePulse performance for those more intense workout sessions. By using Exercise Mode on the Charge HR and multi-sport modes on the Surge, the gadgets will provide a better "experience" during and after those high-energy activities like Zumba.

  By Billy Steele Read More

• Samsung's consumer Gear VR is available now for $99

  We knew it was coming, but now it's finally here. Samsung's newly improved virtual reality headset, the Gear VR, is launching today in the US for $99. This iteration of the Gear VR is, without a doubt, the most consumer-ready VR headset to date. One of its downsides is that it only works with Samsung's latest smartphones, such as the Samsung Galaxy Note 5, Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge and Galaxy S6 Edge+ -- but that's great news for people who own handsets. As you may recall, Samsung's Gear VR is powered by Oculus software, and services like Hulu have already announced compatibility with the device. If you're Stateside, you can grab the Gear VR now from retailers including Amazon and Best Buy. As for worldwide availability, an Oculus spokesperson says that will be announced "soon."

  By Edgar Alvarez Read More

• Headband detects obstacles and guides the blind haptically

  Until scientists perfect bionic vision, shouldn't there be a better way for the blind to get around than a simple cane? That's the idea behind Sentiri, a proximity-sensing headband that helps steer users around by motor-driven haptic feedback. It detects objects in the environment using infrared depth sensors, then varies the level of vibrations to the user's head to help them avoid obstacles. If it's connected to a smartphone with an app like Google Maps, the tool can also safely guide you from point 'A' to point 'B.' The company behind it, Chaotic Moon, also created a "haptic language" that transmits extra information to users by changing the frequency, intensity and number of vibrations.

  By Steve Dent Read More

• LG yanks its Watch Urbane 2nd Edition from stores

  Did you have your eye on one of those new LG Watch Urbane 2nd Edition from AT&T? Well tough. LG just yanked the smartwatch from store shelves citing "a hardware issue which affects the day-to-day functionality of the device." The device was the first Android-based smartwatch to include a cellular connection. It had debuted on AT&T only a week ago and was supposed to come to Verizon tomorrow, November 20th. Nope, not any more.

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• Engadget giveaway: Win an Apple Watch Sport and Aim fitness tracker courtesy of Skulpt!

  If you're serious about fitness (or want to be), stepping up your game beyond basic activity trackers couldn't hurt. Products like the Skulpt Aim let you quantify your workout beyond steps by directly measuring body fat and muscle quality. Used in tandem with a wearable like the Apple Watch Sport, you can ascertain detailed correlations between exercise regimens and physical results. To do this, the Aim uses Electrical Impedance Mypgraphy (EIM) to measure the resistive and capacitive properties of the tissue via electrodes. With the holiday season upon us, the struggle to stay fit in the face of seasonal snacks is challenging. Skulp has provided us with a Skulpt Aim and Apple Watch Sport this week to help one lucky Engadget reader get over that hump and start the new year healthier. It's also adding two Exhibitor Plus passes to the Consumer Electronic Show (CES) in January. So, if you win and you're able to swing by Las Vegas, you'll be able to check out all the new upcoming gadgets. Just head down to the Rafflecopter widget below for up to three chances at winning this fitness and technology combo.Winner: Congratulations to Roger M. of Santa Monica, CA!

  By Jon Turi Read More

• Apple Watch gets an official charging dock for $79

  That didn't take long. Hot on the heels of a couple of leaks, Apple has released its very own Watch perch: meet the Magnetic Charging Dock. Fork over $79 and you'll get a plastic, Lightning-powered saucer that can power the Apple Watch either flat (when you just need a resting place) or upright (if you're using WatchOS 2's nightstand mode). It looks nice and should work particularly well if your watch doubles as a clock, although we'd note that there are cheaper options available if you're willing to reuse the standard charger. Elevation Lab has a $30 nightstand, for instance, while Twelve South will sell you a $60 stand. And did we mention there's no included USB power adapter? It still makes sense if you want to free up your existing puck, or dig the cushion-like appearance -- just know that you have other options.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Pyro Mini turns your boring old wrists into flamethrowers

  In 2014, magic retailer Ellusionist released a device called Pyro that shoots fireballs from your wrist. Now, a year later, the brand is releasing a smaller, more capable version of its predecessor; meet the Pyro Mini. The new device is half the size of the original so it's far less noticeable when strapped to your wrist. It doesn't require disposable batteries either, trading in triple A's for a microUSB charger. Like the original, the mini uses a remote with a 30ft range to trigger individual fireballs or two at once with the new Burst fire feature. Let's face it, two is always way cooler than one. Pyro Mini managed to upgrade almost every feature it offers all the while slashing the price of the unit to $147. If you want to impress friends, family or just to pretend you're a badass supervillain, you can grab a Pyro Mini via the Ellusionist's website.

  By Christopher Klimovski Read More

• Figment VR is an iPhone case that turns into a VR headset

  Google's low-end Cardboard headset is by far the cheapest and easiest way to get started with virtual reality. Unfortunately, it isn't exactly super portable and it's not very durable either -- it's just cardboard, after all. Of course, there are plenty of other phone-compatible VR headsets out there, but most of them are still pretty clunky. The Figment, on the other hand, is a different take on VR (and AR) altogether. Debuting on Kickstarter today, it's an iPhone case that can be transformed into a VR viewer with just a flick of a button, making it the only VR headset we know of that can fit in the back of your pocket.

  By Nicole Lee Read More

• Sony's crowdfunded e-paper watch is coming to Japanese stores

  Sony's one-of-a-kind FES Watch is about to become more than a clever crowdfunded idea. The mostly e-paper timepiece is going on sale in Tokyo at Omotesando's MoMA Design Store on November 21st, when it will cost you a not-completely-unreasonable ¥29,700 ($241). It'll reach the city's Isetan boutique more than a week later, on December 1st. There's no mention of retail launches elsewhere in the world, but something tells us that you'll have to order it online (either through Sony's First Flight or the MoMA store) if you want any hope of strapping on this customizable wristwear outside of Japan.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• HP and Movado bring simplicity to smartwatches

  Smartwatches are starting to look like regular watches. Movado, a Swiss watchmaker known for its crisp designs, has partnered with HP Inc. for its Bold Motion smartwatch. It will do all the smartwatch things -- alert you to emails, texts, phone calls, meetings and even track your steps -- but it won't look like a shrunken phone screen that's strapped on your wrist. The smart timepiece retains Movado's simplicity and tradition with a circular disc that marks 12 on the dial but it comes to life with subtle vibrations and aqua-hued LED clues in sync with notifications on your phone.

  By Mona Lalwani Read More

• Withings' third analog fitness tracker is the $170 Activite Steel

  Last year, French hardware maker Withings debuted the Activité, a $450 Swiss-made watch that also functioned as a fitness tracker. It then followed that up with the Activité Pop, a much lower-end version that cost only $150. Now Withings has come out with a wearable that sits somewhere in the middle: The $170 Withings Activité Steel. It isn't quite as luxurious as the Activité -- it has silicone straps instead of leather -- but it's certainly a lot classier than the Pop thanks to its stainless steel housing and chrome hands. The Steel also has a distinctive style all its own, opting for a white hand in the sub-dial instead of orange.

  By Nicole Lee Read More

• Android Wear can do a whole lot more using your wrist

  That big Android Wear update isn't just about allowing cellular data on smartwatches -- it's also really helpful if you don't have a hand free. Google has quietly revealed that Android Wear 1.4 has a ton of new wrist gestures beyond the usual flicks to navigate cards. You can take action on a card by pushing your arm down, for instance, or go back to your watch face by wriggling your wrist. You're probably going to look silly if you use nothing but wrist gestures, but this beats dropping a bag (or freezing your hands) just to touch your watch for a brief moment.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• 'BioPhone' can do pulse-tracking even when it's in your pocket

  Don't like wearing fitness trackers? You might find this new study dubbed "BioPhone" by a group of scientists from MIT's Media Lab interesting, then: they're exploring the possibility of using commercially available phones to monitor your heart and breathing rates, even if the devices are in your pockets or bags. The idea is to rely on a phone's accelerometer and gyroscope to pick up even small vibrations and body movements that come from your heart beating and from the rise and fall of your chest as you breathe. In order to capture pertinent data, the group developed an Android app and installed it on phones you can readily buy, including the Samsung Galaxy S4.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Fossil buys Misfit for a bigger stake in wearables

  After launching an Android smartwatch and a bunch of fitness wearables, Fossil Group announced today that it's also snapping up Misfit, which is best known for its svelte Shine fitness tracker. The deal, which is worth around $260 million, gives Fossil access to an existing market of wearable buyers, a team that's been trying to figure out how to design attractive wearables for years and a cloud platform for health tracking. Basically, you can expect some pretty attractive devices resulting from this union. And it comes just in time for Misfit, which didn't have many upgrades in store for its Shine 2 health tracker. Now that plenty of phones and cheap gadgets can offer the basics of activity tracking, tech companies have to work harder to prove why we need standalone health trackers at all.

  By Devindra Hardawar Read More

• ASUS confirms it will build a Hololens-style headset

  After teasing the idea last month, ASUS has confirmed that it's planning to release an augmented reality (AR) headset sometime in 2016. "It should be next year when we come out with a product. We think AR will be very important for people's lives," said CEO Jonny Shih, according to CNET. Judging by ASUS's earlier comments, the device will be a version of Microsoft's HoloLens and likely come at a lower price. However, ASUS neither confirmed that it would be a HoloLens clone, nor the final price during an earnings webcast yesterday.

  By Steve Dent Read More

• Android Wear can switch to LTE, works without your smartphone

  Your next (or first) Android wearable needs not for Bluetooth or Wifi. Android Wear's cellular support has finally arrived, just as the first compatible watch starts to ship. LG's Watch Urbane 2nd Edition crams an LTE radio beneath its circular 480 x 480 screen, with models that'll work on AT&T and Verizon — carriers that are both selling the watch in the US this week.

  By Mat Smith Read More

• Withings tracks your nutrition thanks to MyFitnessPal

  Withings has a connected scale that tracks your weight and activity trackers that help you lose weight, but it doesn't have anything to measure the food contributing to that weight. However, the company just forged a partnership with MyFitnessPal that should fill in this gap. Withings' Health Mate app can now use MyFitnessPal's nutrition data, letting you know whether or not you're exercising enough in relation to your diet. If you lose a few pounds, it'll be clear just how much your meal choices played a part. The collaboration is a bit ironic for Withings given that it's effectively working with Under Armour (which has its own fitness gear), but it's hard to object if it gives you a better sense of your overall health.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• easyJet's new cabin crew uniforms are covered in LEDs

  Whether it's recon drones, VR training or 3D-printed plane parts, easyJet is quick to embrace new technologies. The company's latest experiment is a little more garish -- to mark its 20th birthday, cabin crew and engineers are getting brand-new uniforms littered with colourful LEDs. With the cabin crew, you'll notice tiny lights on their jacket lapels that illuminate to reveal flight numbers, destinations and other useful tidbits. Extra LEDs have been sewn onto the shoulders which, along with some illuminated hems, are designed to help staff and travellers in the event of an emergency. Finally, there are built-in microphones so the crew can communicate with one another and the passengers.

  By Nick Summers Read More

• Samsung's improved Gear VR is available for pre-order

  Samsung said its improved, cheaper Gear VR would arrive sometime in November, and it's clearly making good on its promise. Best Buy has started taking pre-orders for the virtual reality headset -- plunk down $100 and you should get your Gear VR on November 20th. It's not quite as low-cost as it sounds, since you'll need one of Samsung's 2015 flagship phones (such as a Galaxy S6 variant or the Galaxy Note 5) to make it work. Still, it might be worth the investment if you've been itching to try modern VR at home.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• New wireless earbuds conform to your ears in 60 seconds

  Finding the right earphones is tricky business. Your options are basically limitless and everybody has their own favorite brand or shape. The only problem is, where half the world might love a particular kind the other half could hate it. Startup Revols says it's because our ear shape is just as unique as our fingerprints. With this in mind, the company has developed a Kickstarter campaign for its wireless earphones that use gel-filled tips to mold specifically to your ear. All you have to do is place them in, click a button on the company's companion app and let the tips work their magic. Once set, they'll harden to keep their shape. The seemingly simple design and execution has seen the company already reach its crowdfunding goal of $100,000, with 59 days to go.

  By Christopher Klimovski Read More

• Cheese was the best part of TAG Heuer's smartwatch event

  #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-997910{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-997910, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-997910{width:570px;display:block;} try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-997910").style.display="none";}catch(e){} Sure, Tag Heuer unveiled a smartwatch today with the help of Google and Intel. But the real star of the show was CEO Jean-Claude Biver and his love of cheese. Literally. Who cut the cheese? Jean-Claude did.

  By Engadget Read More

• TAG Heuer's Connected smartwatch looks like an actual watch

  TAG Heuer unveiled its first smartwatch called Connected at an event today. The 155-year-old luxury watch company turned to its classic Carrera for inspiration. But for the innards of the watch, it tapped into Google for its Android Wear software and leaned on Intel for its sensors and processing. To make room for the computing capabilities, they went with a large sized watch -- 46.2mm across and 12.8mm thick -- that's currently available only for men. The watchmaker announced that a women's version is in the making, but for now the men's only watch is available at 20 stores across the country for $1,500.

  By Mona Lalwani Read More

• TAG Heuer's Connected is a $1,500 Android Wear watch you can trade in

  Before we kitted them out with high-res AMOLED screens and WiFi, luxury watches were the sorts of thing you could wind up and pass down through the ages. With its new Connected smartwatch (seriously, its name is "Connected") TAG Heuer thinks it's captured "eternity in a box" and restored a sense of legacy to an otherwise obsolescing wearable. Erm, we'll see about that. Long story short, it's a $1,500 Android Wear watch that you'll be able to trade in for a mechanical version after two years if the whole connected lifestyle really isn't for you.

  By Chris Velazco Read More

• Watch TAG Heuer unveil its Android smartwatch at 11AM Eastern

  After months upon months of hype, Intel and TAG Heuer are finally ready to show their Android Wear smartwatch to the world. The two are hosting a live stream at 11AM Eastern to spill the beans on the Carrera Wearable 01, billed as the first Google-powered luxury watch. We know a handful of details about the wristwear (such as its $1,800 price tag, Intel components and familiar design), but there are still a few things up in the air. Will it really get that vaunted 40-hour battery life? What kind of bands can you choose from? And will the software deliver anything beyond the usual Android Wear experience? We're on the ground at the event to get the full scoop first-hand, but you can tune in below if you just can't wait to get details.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Xiaomi's $16 fitness tracker gets a heart-rate monitor

  Although it isn't readily available in the west, Xiaomi's Mi Band fitness tracker has helped the company account for a quarter of all wearables sold. Unveiled in July 2014, the low-cost rubberized bracelet monitors your activity levels and analyzes your sleep, but soon be able to track another important piece of biometric data: your heart rate. The Chinese technology company today announced the Mi Band Pulse, a $16 (£10) wearable that uses a light-based PPG (photoplethysmography) sensor to measure your body's blood flow.

  By Matt Brian Read More

• Counterfeiters already have fake 'BTTF' Nikes with power laces

  Nike won't have its Back to the Future 2 kicks on shelves until next year, but it looks like the folks who make their money selling knockoffs aren't waiting around. Since Nike announced the Mags with power laces will be a very limited edition available only via auction, we can expect a healthy market for fakes. Kicks On Fire points out this Instagram video by fake_education -- an account that generally points out ways to tell real shoes from their unauthorized twins -- showing a power lacing system already integrated with a pair of knockoff Mags. Of course we're sure you would never stoop so low as to intentionally buy fakes, but when Marty McFly's futuristic shoes start to surface in suspicious quantities and prices, remember this video.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• 3RDi is the camera-enabled headband you didn't ask for

  So it turns out someone has developed a piece of wearable tech that manages to make Google Glass look understated and elegant. Introducing 3RDi -- as the name suggests, this camera is supposed to act as a third eye so you never miss a photographable moment. You tap the side to take a photo or slide to record a video, and that's it. Honestly, that's all the garish headpiece does. The concept is justified but the execution is ridiculous and has an incredibly high Indiegogo goal of $250,000. It's still in the development stages and company promises to expand on the very few features the 3RDi currently sports. If you decide to be an early adopter but feel too self-conscious to wear it around others, just save it as an accessory for your Halloween costume next year. You can either go as a futuristic princess or a terrible idea.

  By Christopher Klimovski Read More

• Turn any watch into a smartwatch (kinda)

  Have you been eyeing your friend's Apple Watch and wishing you had one of your very own? Well, tech startup Trivoly has developed a way to squash that burning jealousy. The company launched a crowdfunding campaign for a newly developed disc of the same name which promises to turn any watch into a smartwatch. It is made out of a thin plastic and basically acts as a notification hub, vibrating when you receive a message...or set an alarm...or add an event to your calendar. You can control your smartphone camera and music by tapping all sides of the disc and it contains a heart rate monitor that syncs to native fitness apps.

  By Christopher Klimovski Read More

• There's now a smart kegel exerciser for men, too

  Every International Women's Day, a chorus of snippy men ask where's their equivalent day of celebration. For the last few years, British comedian Richard Herring has led a one-man quest to get them to shut up and stop whining, because International Men's Day is November 19th. The reason we bring this up, of course, is when news broke of a smart kegel exerciser for women, you can imagine the sort of comments that followed. Now, thankfully, Minna Life, creators of the original kGoal, is back to shut up everyone who's ever wanted a smartphone-controlled kegel exerciser for men. Say hello to the kGoal Boost.

  By Daniel Cooper Read More

• Verizon's new kid-tracking smartwatches look all grown up

  GizmoPal 2 and GizmoGadget aren't going to win any prizes for cool product naming, but the kid-friendly smartwatches come with noble intentions. Both products let you geofence your progeny, so you can get an instant alert if they wander farther than you'd like -- a staple feature of devices in the junior category of course. Both also let the wearer communicate with parents. GizmoPal 2 is more limited, allowing only Jnr to send pre-recorded messages and emoji -- perhaps no bad thing for younger children. Adults can, however, call the watch directly. On the plus side, GizmoPal 2 looks less like a child's hospital band than last time. Bigger kids will want the GizmoGadget, which has the way cooler ability to send messages and calls instantly between devices and a touchscreen display. Both are also waterproof to one meter for 30 minutes.

  By James Trew Read More

• Huawei's first smartwatch finally goes on sale in the UK

  It's taken a while, but companies are finally getting better at smartwatch design. Following the original Moto 360, we're starting to see some stylish Android Wear devices, like the long-awaited Huawei Watch. We first clapped eyes on this circular timepiece at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, more than eight months ago. Why it's taken so long to arrive in the UK is anyone's guess, but anyway -- starting today, you can order one from vMall and select Selfridges stores. That premium design will cost you though -- the Huawei Watch starts at £289 for a silver model with a leather band. You'll pay extra for the ceramic black model and the price climbs higher if you prefer a dressier link or mesh strap. Finally, Wareable reports that the rose gold model will set you back an eye-watering £599.

  By Nick Summers Read More

• Sennheiser's new Orpheus headphones cost $55,000

  When it comes to the very particular world of audiophile headphones, few names raise as many pulses as Sennheiser's Orpheus HE90. Designed 25 years ago, and limited to 300 pairs, the legendary headset came with its own valve amp, and a hefty $16,000 price tag. Today, Sennheiser lifted the cloth on a new Orpheus, and it's just as crazy. Apparently 10 years in the making, the new Orpheus builds on its predecessor's famous electrostatic design, bringing it up to date with a new signal processor, new marble-clad design, and wonderfully decadent motorized housing that reveals the knobs and valves when you turn it on.

  By James Trew Read More

• Jawbone countersues Fitbit over activity tracker patent 'abuse'

  Jawbone isn't letting up on its plan to sue Fitbit into oblivion any time soon. The wearable maker has responded to a Fitbit patent lawsuit (itself meant as a response to Jawbone) with a countering suit of its own, accusing Fitbit of abusing its patents in a "plainly meritless" case. Of course, as we've seen in previous tech lawsuits, the patents are really incidental here -- this is ultimately about pressuring Fitbit into settling a case it might otherwise try to fight in court.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• The 'tablet' for your wrist has arrived

  Yes, someone actually made a wearable "tablet." And no, we're not talking about the Neptune Pine, which is basically an oversized watch that doubles as a phone. This new device, dubbed Rufus Cuff, features a 3.2-inch screen and, since launching as an Indiegogo campaign in 2014, has promised to be more than a smartwatch. Rufus Labs, the company behind it, says its product "ends the era of the watch and ushers in the wrist communicator." Aside from that ludicrous display size (compared to other wearables designed to be worn on your wrist), it also features a TI Cortex A9 processor, front-facing camera for pictures/video, GPS, WiFi and a 1,175mAh battery. Although you can use an iPhone to take calls with it, thanks to the built-in speaker, dual microphones and Bluetooth support, Rufus Cuff is powered by Android Kit Kat.

  By Edgar Alvarez Read More

Xbox (11)

• Make your 'Halo 5' Spartan into a 3D-printed trophy

  Halo 5's campaign is hot garbage if you're playing through it solo, but the multiplayer suite is pretty much the opposite if you're into competitive shooters. It's a likely reason why Microsoft is shifting its latest ad and PR focus around the mode -- pre-release hype centered on the game's flaccid story. The latest step in that? Bringing your customized Spartan soldier into the real world via 3D printing. Redmond has aligned with custom 3D printing house Sandboxr and printer manufacturer 3D Systems to put your unique Slayer combatant (sorry, Kerry King) in the palm of your hand. Using the web interface, Xbox Wire says you can choose from 175 armor and helmet options, over 30 color variants and five different poses with a quintet of weapons. The classic "teabag" pose isn't one of the available selections, however, but you can make an 18-character moniker for the statue.

  By Timothy J. Seppala Read More

• Microsoft's Black Friday deals include $299 Xbox One bundles

  Microsoft is desperate for the Xbox One to make an impact this holiday season. In addition to a slew of exclusive games, including Halo 5: Guardians, Rise of the Tomb Raider and Forza Motorsport 6, the company is continuing to undercut Sony's PlayStation 4. To mark Black Friday -- specifically November 26th to 30th -- Microsoft is slashing $50 from 12 Xbox One holiday bundles. The cheapest of which will be going for $299 with either a copy of The Lego Movie Videogame or Gears of War: Ultimate Edition. Needless to say, there's never been a better time to jump on board with Microsoft's latest console. Combined with the greatly redesigned dashboard, a customisable "Elite" controller and backwards compatibility, there's little else the company can do at this point to promote sales.

  By Nick Summers Read More

• Xbox One update brings back Xbox 360's universal controller settings

  You don't need to drop $150 on the Xbox One Elite controller to get access to one of its most prominent features: remapping the gamepad's buttons. Tucked away inside the Xbox One's new Windows 10-flavored menus is the app for changing what buttons do what on your standard Xbox One controller as well. Perhaps most notably, you can permanently invert the Y-axis (controlled with the right analog stick by default) to make aiming and moving the camera in third-person and first-person games, respectively, more to your liking. That feature is something that the Xbox 360 had at launch with its "game defaults" options that appeared during initial setup for the system. In terms of how the app works from the Elite to the vanilla controller, it's pretty similar aside from not being able to adjust thumbstick and trigger sensitivity. You'll find the new addition under Settings > Ease of Access > Button Mapping.

  By Timothy J. Seppala Read More

• The first big 'Halo 5' update brings 16-player vehicle battles

  Whatever you think of Halo 5's solo component, 343 Industries is determined to keep you interested in the multiplayer part. As part of a first content drop due next week (Battle of Shadow and Light), the studio is introducing 16-player Big Team Battles where vehicles play a big role. If your favorite memories of Halo involve epic Warthog duels, you'll likely get a kick out of the new mode and its four accompanying maps. You'll also find dozens of armor, weapon and vehicle sets (such as the Tundra Mantis, below). It should all be good news if you're a fan of the Halo series, although the real question is whether or not 343 will keep this up. Hopefully, you won't run out of things to do in the Xbox One's flagship title several months down the road.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Microsoft wants 'Red Dead Redemption' on Xbox One, too

  You aren't alone in your desire to play Rockstar Games' old West epic Read Dead Redemption on your Xbox One -- Microsoft's director of program management Mike Ybarra wants to play it again, too. "I would love to see Red Dead," he said of making the Xbox 360 game backwards-compatible. In a recent interview, Ybarra revealed that it's a personal favorite and that he's played hundreds of hours of the dusty 2010 open world game. Behind Call of Duty: Black Ops II, it's number two on the list of fan-requested titles for the just launched Xbox One backwards compatibility feature.

  By Timothy J. Seppala Read More

• 'Halo 5' pushed Xbox One sales past the PS4 in October

  No matter how you feel about the single-player experience for Halo 5: Guardians, its place as the Xbox family's standard-bearer is secure. NPD data reveals that its release last month not only topped software sales charts in the US, but also drove Xbox One to a victory over the rival PlayStation 4. There aren't any exact numbers attached, but in a statement Microsoft said Xbox One sales were up 81 percent over the same month last year. In case you didn't already know, the expensive but oh-so-good Elite Controller sold through its supply at most retailers, also providing a lift. The only question now is if the victory will turn into a streak, as Xbox features the new Tomb Raider this week to go with an early launch of Star Wars: Battlefront on EA Access. In other NPD news, the Yoshi's Wooly World on Wii U came in at number 8 in game sales for the month, beating out Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection, Rock Band 4 and Guitar Hero Live.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• Playdate: Giving away a 'Rise of the Tomb Raider' Xbox One bundle

  So you want to play the new timed-exclusive Tomb Raider game, but you don't have an Xbox One. We might be able to help with that: today on Engadget Playdate, we're streaming Rise of the Tomb Raider and giving one lucky viewer a chance to win a 1TB Xbox One (with the game, of course). Want in? Simply hit the contest widget after the break. Want to see what we're giving out? Join us on Twitch.tv/Joystiq, the Engadget Gaming homepage or right here in this post starting at 6PM Eastern / 3PM Pacific. Good luck! Winner: Congratulations to Angelina W. of Chandler, AZ!

  By Sean Buckley Read More

• Xbox One Windows 10 update begins rolling out

  After months of teasing, beta testing and announcements, the Xbox One's big update for Windows 10, an all-new UI and backwards compatibility with some Xbox 360 games will arrive tomorrow. According to Major Nelson, the new software will start rolling out at 3AM ET, although we wouldn't advise waiting up for it for a couple of reasons. First, it's a staged rollout, so you may not get it right away. Second, the ability to play Xbox 360 games (here's the list) won't switch on until 3PM ET, so you've got some time to get ready. Finally, assuming your Xbox is setup for "Instant-on" it should automatically grab the update and install it without you needing to do anything at all. The new Xbox One dashboard has a completely refreshed layout, but there's a lot of info available to help you get used to it.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• This week's Xbox One update deletes dashboard Kinect gestures

  When the New Xbox One Experience hits consoles on November 12th, it will remove Kinect gestures from the dashboard entirely, platform head Mike Ybarra confirmed to Windows Central. The update is poised to be massive, overhauling most of the Xbox One interface in part to work better with Windows 10. Kinect isn't mentioned at all on the Xbox One update page, though voice controls get one shoutout. "With gestures, the reality was the usage was very, very low," Ybarra told the site. "So for now, we've cut that from the New Xbox One Experience."

  By Jessica Conditt Read More

• Twitch rewards you for watching 'Tomb Raider' on the Xbox One app

  Live-streaming platform Twitch is handing out in-game points to people who watch Rise of the Tomb Raider via the Xbox One app. Plus, viewers on any platform have the ability to mess with their favorite Tomb Raider streams when the game is in Expedition Mode: Once prompted, people in chat can vote to activate one of two cards, which alter gameplay in specific ways. Some cards remove health regeneration, add armor to enemies, grant players more melee damage or enable "Big Head Mode," for example. Voting rounds appear every six minutes or so, and this only works if the streamer uses the Xbox One Twitch app to broadcast the game. Now, let's talk about those rewards.

  By Jessica Conditt Read More

• Here are the first Xbox 360 games that will work on Xbox One

  Microsoft's Xbox One is getting its big "New Experience" update on November 12, which also includes the long-awaited backwards compatibility feature for playing Xbox 360 games. Now, we've finally got the full list of 104 Xbox 360 titles that'll work on the system. That includes some games we've previously known about, like Borderlands, along with fan favorites like Just Cause 3 and Mirror's Edge. There are also plenty of Xbox Live Arcade titles included, though many popular titles still aren't supported, including Rockstar titles like Grand Theft Auto IV and Red Dead Redemption. Microsoft says it'll start announcing new titles in December, including Halo Reach and Bioshock Infinite, and you can vote for future titles to be included on the Xbox Feedback site. Check out the full list of backwards compatible Xbox 360 titles below.

  By Devindra Hardawar Read More